48,7°
Distillery : The BenRiach - Speyside
1st Fill Bourbon and Virgin Oak Casks
Original Bottling
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2021
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured
Totally Unpeated
In 1999, the distillery closed its malting area, which had operated continuously for 101 years, even when no whisky was being produced. It was a regrettable decision, but one that Billy Walker overturned when he took over the distillery. He reopened it in 2012. The barley is now malted at Benriach twice a year, in May and December, known as the Malting Seasons. This bottling is the first to use only barley malted on site, so the whisky was distilled in 2012 and then poured into 23 virgin oak and first-fill bourbon casks. Bottled in June 2021, it is therefore around 8 years old, although this is not mentioned on the bottle. A total of 6672 bottles have been poured. The barley used is Concerto, one of the most renowned.
Let's Taste It :
The first impression is of virgin casks, dry wood, whitewashed earth, with a hint of vaporous smoke. Then the fruits rise and it's a pleasant, dynamic Bourbon, mirabelle plums on a layer of creamy vanilla, with a pinch of salt. But there are also cereals, barley and wheat on a sunny day, and roasted almonds. The whole is very pleasant. The palate follows in the same friendly footsteps, with honey, stracciatella ice cream, plums, juicy pears. It's mellow, fairly smooth and well-balanced. Some spices, cumin, nutmeg, cinnamon. Quite a long finish, peppery, sandy, cola, white grapes.
In Short,
For me, it's a success. It's both smooth and deep, a beautiful expression that highlights the capabilities of this typical malting area. But I've seen the prices, and it's a joke? It's well made, but it's only eight years old, and it's reduced. Let's calm down.
Score : 86
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Up from Below
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