BenRiach 10 Years Old

By Barry Bradford on October 24, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

BenRiach 10 Years Old (43%, OB, 2018)

Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
Origin: BenRiach distillery
Bottling: Brown-Forman, OB
ABV: 43%
Cost: £35

What they say

Bottled at 43% vol, the BenRiach 10 Years Old is Classic Speyside in character. The cask formula focuses on ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks – exactly the types of wood we favour at BenRiach. This fresh, lively, fruit-laden single malt captures WARM OAK SPICES, GREEN APPLE, DRIED APRICOTS, PEACH and BANANA with subtle touches of ANISEED, LEMON ZEST and BARLEY.

Official tasting notes:

COLOUR Crisp summer gold.
NOSE A fresh and lively combination of crisp, green orchard fruits, stem ginger and hints of tangerine mellows to creamy vanilla with a delicate note of mint and a gentle twist of citrus, all held together with a sweet barley back note.
TASTE Warm toasted oak spices flood through green apple skins and dried apricots, ripening to hints of peach and soft banana. Subtle touches of aniseed and lemon zest create a contrasting edge to the fruit and add an intriguing character to the long, crisp barley finish.

What I say

Sample provided by BenRiach and SpeyPR.

Distilled at BenRiach distillery and matured for a minimum of 10 years in a both ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks married to produce a signature style for their flagship expression.

My tasting notes:

Appearance: Light gold (6/20), rare, medium-fine tears leave long, fine legs.
Nose: Sweet vanilla and citrus fruit, lemon curd, light spices such as cinnamon and ginger, gooey toffee – like the middle of millionaire’s shortbread plus touches of cereal biscuit and milk chocolate.
Taste: Light-medium bodied and a touch oily on the palate, spiced white pepper and lemon citrus lead, ripe banana drizzled in heather honey or golden syrup, biscuity malt and vanilla reminds me of custard creams.
Finish: Medium-long, dry and sweet pepper, custard tarts with nutmeg.

Overall

A well-structured 10 year old from BenRiach with plenty of sweet vanilla, citrus fruit and zesty spice on the palate, strengthened by malt and subtle, more sherried influences add complexity.