Gordon & MacPhail and Benromach: Over 125 years of whisky tradition
The beginnings of Gordon & MacPhail (1895)
The beginnings of the company Gordon & MacPhail date back to 1895, when co-owners James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail opened a grocery store in Elgin, in the heart of Scotland's Speyside region. Their product range focused on local products, but also included exotic commodities from around the world.
From a family business to a global authority on whisky
Over time, the small family business has grown into a multifaceted international company and one of the most respected experts on Scotch whisky. Gordon & MacPhail has been curating whisky for over 125 years, working with dozens of Scottish distilleries to produce premium independent bottlings.
Among the most famous bottlings are, for example:
Entry into own production: Distillery Benromach
The company has been producing its own whisky since 1998 through its distillery Benromach, which it purchased in 1993.
The Benromach distillery was originally founded in 1898 by a group of entrepreneurs led by Duncan McCallum and F. W. Brickmann.
The challenging history and rebirth of the distillery
During its existence, the distillery has faced many challenges and gone through periods of inactivity due to market fluctuations and changes in ownership. Between 1983 and 1993, Benromach was completely closed.
In 1993, it was purchased by Gordon & MacPhail, which initiated a thorough reconstruction and modernization. After approximately five years, the distillery was put back into operation in 1998.
Traditional Speyside style with a delicate peat smoke
Under the leadership of Gordon & MacPhail, Benromach has returned to traditional whisky-making methods that combine the elegance typical of the Speyside region with a subtle hint of peat smoke. This style was once common in the region, but is now rare.
It is this approach that has created the unique identity of the Benromach brand, setting it apart from the rest Speyside single malt whisky and has won the favor of whiskey lovers around the world.
Benromach Contrasts Series: Experimentation and Diversity
In addition to its core range, Benromach Distillery also produces the Contrasts series, which features experimental and technologically interesting bottlings produced using a variety of methods.
In this series, we find, for example:
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Benromach Contrasts: Peat Smoke – strongly smoked whisky
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Benromach Contrasts: Organic – organic whisky
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Benromach Contrasts: Unpeated – unblended distillate
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Benromach Contrasts: High Enzyme – made from barley with a higher enzyme content, making it sweeter and smoother.
Core range Benromach
The distillery's basic portfolio consists of:
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10-year old, 15-year old and 21-year old whisky
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10-year old Cask strength whiskey
The whiskey matures in a combination of sherry and bourbon casks. The first three bottlings are filled at 43 % alcohol, without coloring, but are cold filtered.
The Cask Strength version is bottled without coloring and without cold filtration. For example Batch 3 – Vintage 2014, filled in 2024, reaches an alcohol content of 60,6 %.
Limited and exclusive editions
Other particularly interesting bottlings include:
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Benromach Champions Edition – filled in 2024 with the strength of the barrel, aged in Polish oak barrels
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Benromach Ultra Aged 50 ročná – an exclusive 50-year-old whiskey, also launched in 2024.
