Benromach Whisky Distillery, Scotland

This evening, my focus is on Benromach Distillery, which is located on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Forres, east of Inverness and on the northern tip of Speyside. I came across this fantastic little distillery more by accident than design and it turned out to be a nice little gem. Being small Benromach is reminiscent of Edradour.

Benromach has a long and chequered history dating back to its foundation in 1898 subsequent to which it experienced numerous owners and even a period of mothballing. Benromach is now owned by Scotch whisky specialists Gordon and MacPhail which is perhaps an apt home for this niche operation.

I was very impressed by the distillery Tour Guide who provided a very full and enthusiastic tour when we (my tour group) descended on him at extremely short notice.

Relative to some of the other distilleries, Benromach's malt is relatively young and hence priced accordingly. A new and unusual product is an organic malt, produced from organic barley but which, crucially, is matured in new oak casks which have not previously been filled with Bourbon or sherry. An interesting experiment!

Benromach's other claim to fame is a maturing whisky cask signed by HRH Prince Charles to commemorate the re-opening of the distillery.

I will definitely be back to this little gem.

Here is the Visitor Centre


Malts for sale.
Cask signed by Prince Charles.

Maturing casks in the warehouse.

Stills and washbacks.
This allows visitors to bottle their own whisky.

Elsewhere today have been busy as ever:

• Received sad news of cancellation of upcoming tour due to a family bereavement. Had to unwind the tour and cancel lodgings. Very disappointing as I spent many hours designing the tour to the specifications of a discerning couple. Regrettably, these things happen in life.
• Worked on a self-drive tour of Scotland which has been long in gestation and now close to being given the green light.
• Fine tuned a Speyside whisky tour for next month. I am beginning to get very fond of the Speyside area and its scenery.
• Posted information to my GlasgowAncestry blog on Cruickshank family history.
• Received enquiry in for an ancestry themed tour.

Nice to be busy but am sad about the cancellation.