Benriach 20 Year Old

5

My first foray into BenRiach and at first, I was confused by the flavor as it is so unique. The initial taste catches you by surprise with it's complexity that ranges between baked goods (vanilla and shortbread) and then develops into a sort of rubbery (but pleasant) middle and finishes rather sweetly with maybe a hint of peat. Very unique and as the bottle has settled, it just gets better.

5

Very nice Speyside with a rich fruitcake taste that give way to a long vanilla bourbon cask with spiced apple and butter shortbread. Certainly improved considerably after a week or two of opening the bottle.

5

Of all the single malts my wife and I have tried, this is our absolute favorite. Incredibly smooth and subtle.

3

Cask Overpowers the original spirit. Slightly oily reflecting possible warm rather than higher temperature in the fermentation. Like most Speysides the cut is probably high giving an estery flavour and aroma from ethyl acetate. Nose sweet, dried fruit probably an Oloroso cask finish, vanilla and candy reflect American Oak. Slight smoke in the background either low peat contribution or first fill highly charred American Oak yielding 4-vinyl guaiacol. After 45mins airing the sherry cask still dominates, suggesting almost half contribution from Oloroso or long finish in same. Palate very sweet, spicy from American oak, but dominated by the sherry. Plenty of body. Finish long, sweet, smokey, spicy

Fruity on the nose with a touch of smokiness, creamy on the palate with sherry notes. Very drinkable Speysider it is, balanced and flawless. Possibly the most ambitious 20 YO for £52 in the market. Try it, as you won't regret it!