Tag: BenRiach

Dram Review: The BenRiach Single Cask 1971 for Shinanoya and BBI Japan

Posted in BenRiachTagged , , , , , Leave a comment

[45.1%・40 Years Old・Distilled in 1971・Bottled in 2012・Official Bottling for Shinanoya and BBI Japan・Cask No. 330・Single Cask Release of 216 Bottles]

Nose:

I think this may just carry the sweetest, fruitiest nose I have encountered, truly captivating and brilliant; can pineapples, apricots and tropical fruits, vanilla custard blended with the fruity nectar and dusted with icing sugar.

Palate & Finish:

Again, brilliant sweetness on the palate, sugar cured watermelon slices stacked with crumble made with ripe green apples and spiced up with some vanilla grain. Banana essence, citrus marmalade and some delicate cinnamon dust are later added slowly into the mix.

A velvet-y finish with the banana custard and French vanilla leading traces of shortbread, a joyous moment stretched satisfyingly..

Thoughts:

Such endearing characters, I have not had a lovelier BenRiach.. a brilliance that seemingly developed from the spirit evolving in the cask for more than 4 decades.. I have felt something similar after the White Bowmore..

I will remember to look for other 1971 vintages to see if they are also some of the best fruit bombs I have had..

☆☆☆ [Most Recommended]

-Nicholas

Dram Review: The BenRiach Cask Strength Batch 1

Posted in BenRiachTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

[57.2%・NAS・Official Bottling・Limited Release]

Nose:

There is an elegant Speyside floral musk on the nose that puts the mind in ease. Pineapples and apricots with a appealing vanilla note. There is some youthful anise note but as a whole it doesn’t feel as young as some other cask strength offerings. There is a thin touch of maltiness with that mineral water note, a wee brush of menthol just on the very end.

Palate & Finish:

Lemony custard with a saucy chocolate note on the palate, and then there it is, the menthol note makes a chic entrance. A gentle delivery of maltiness then makes an entry with instances of vanilla and oak spices.

A couple serves of after eight in the finish with traces of maltiness delightfully preserved.

Thoughts:

A true speyside dram underneath the superb label, starring the malt.

☆☆ [Highly Recommended]

Cheers to Mr. Stewart Buchanan for bringing this whisky down under. A vat of a small batch at cask strength, the youngest being 10 years old, the oldest from 1986.

–Nicholas