Benrinnes 15 Years Old Flora and Fauna (43%, OB, 2014)

• Single malt scotch whisky
• 43% ABV, £47.95 for 70cl

What they say:

A ‘partially’ triple-distilled Speysider, this single malt from the Benrinnes distillery was bottled at 15 years for the Flora and Fauna series.

What I say:

The Benrinnes 15 year old Flora and Fauna expression – the ‘standard’ Benrinnes expression by UDV (now Diageo)

Colour:

Copper / Ruby amber, numerous medium tears

Nose:

Leather, salty, sweet jammy fruits, plum, strawberry. membrillo (quince jelly), peach and apple, vanilla custard, estery over-ripe bananas

Taste:

Rich, fruity, strawberry and champagne jam, plum, quince, old leather, suede, hint of salt and smoke, golden syrup, blossom honey, cereal barley malt

Finish:

Short/medium, over sweet fruit hints of chocolate and cocoa

Overall:

Pleasing and enjoyable dram, on previous tastings I have always preferred the Mortlach 16 Years Old Flora and Fauna ~ 43% (Diageo) and Dailuaine 16 Years Old Flora and Fauna ~ 43% (Diageo) and considered the Benrinnes to be the poorer cousin to these other two stalwarts. That said, those are both big, powerful drams and the Benrinnes stands up on its own merits also.

Score: 84/100

Available from Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange