Benromach-Glenlivet 38 Years Old 1976 Single Cask (52.9%, WM Cadenhead, Bourbon HH, 222 Bottles, 2015)

• Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: Benromach Distillery
• Bottling: Cadenhead’s
• ABV: 52.9%
• Cost: £205

What they say:

Distilled at Benromach Distillery in 1976 and matured for a full 38 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead before bottling in 2015. Produced 222 bottles at natural cask strength of 52.9% ABV.

Nose:

Really fresh and bursting with juicy fruits.

Palate:

The palate continues with the fruit bomb along with a touch of oakiness which reveals this whiskies maturity.

Finish:

Light oak notes in the finish give way to wave after wave of the syrupy tropical fruits.

What I say:

Dram #6 from the Omakase Sayonara WOLS Tasting presented by Richard Kuo, and also a dram I had acquired a sample of to celebrate my 40th Birthday, this being distilled in my birth year of 1976. Therefore it is being posted to celebrate our 600th single malt scotch whisky review here @TheWhiskyphiles

Colour:

Antique yellow gold (8/20) thick and loose legs with large droplet tears

Nose:

A hint of white wine vinegar, tart and acidic fruits, vanilla, tinned peaches and tinned pear halves, almonds mildly toasted, icing sugar, stewed apples, waxed and oiled old oak wood, teak oil and beeswax specifically

Taste:

Sweet then a little prickly like white pepper, orange, apple, peach and nectarine fruits, oaky toffee wood, honey and syrupy sweetness, lacquered wood, waxy, antique oak.

Finish:

Long, oaky and fruity with some mild spices

Overall:

Very woody as expected from its age but it has a depth of fruitiness to match and balance the woodiness. Something slightly medicinal about this expression like honey and eucalyptus lozenges and orange barley sugars, but little else specifically herbal despite plenty of hints. Remarkably drinkable for its age. It was probably just getting better like myself ;-D

Score: 90/100

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