almost two weeks ago Benriach has released its eagerly-anticipated single cask bottlings.
Selected by Master Blender Billy Walker, the twelve-expression batch from the Elgin distillery was bottled last month and all bottlings are available now in specialist shops.
Batch 10 comprises sublime Speyside vintages ranging from 1976 to 2005. Cask types vary from Moscatel and Virgin American Oak Hogsheads to Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheons and Barrels.
included in the new batch is an intriguing young 8 year old, vintage 2005 cask # 3782 The one I’ve chosen to start my tasting notes with (I will be visiting 10 other BenRiach and GlenDronach single casks from this latest batch). The other casks released this time from BR are:
- 1976 cask # 2013 / 37 years old / Classic Speyside / 49.6%
- 1977 cask # 1031 / 36 years old / Moscatel Finish / 54.9%
- 1978 cask # 1047 / 35 years old / Moscatel Finish / 51.1%
- 1983 cask # 296 / 30 years old / Classic Speyside / 43.9%
- 1984 cask # 1051/ 28 years old / Peated / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish / 49.9%
- 1985 cask # 7188 / 27 years old / Peated / Virgin American Oak Finish / 48.9%
- 1988 cask # 4000 / 24 years old / Tawny Port Finish / 52.6%
- 1992 cask # 986 / 21 years old / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish / 53.3%
- 1994 cask # 4385 / 18 years old / Virgin American Oak Finish / 55.5%
- 1996 cask # 10306 / 17 years old / Marsala Finish / 56.0%
- 1998 cask # 7633 / 15 years old / Triple Distilled / Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish / 56.1%
BenRiach 2005 cask # 3782 / 8 yo Peated Virgin American Oak Finish ,58.1% ~£40
Nose: A lot of Earthy peat, Burning embers add some sweetness and spiciness of Cinnamon bubble-gum. Marinated BBQ pork. Mushrooms and a touch of balsamic.
Palate: Thick and spicy with tobacco leaves , peat and wood fire. Sprinkled cinnamon and hot chilly with some pepper vanilla and malt.
Finish: Long and smoky hot cinnamon and BBQ meat.
A feisty, strong and rich youngish peated malt. If you’re into peat and sweet, you’re going to like this very much. A splendid little cracker. Really liked it, and at that price it’s really a good buy (not cheap, but at CS of almost 60% you’re getting a lot of flavour and oomph). It shot straight to the top of my To buy list.
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