8 year old Benriach distilled in September 2009 and matured in a 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel. Young & spritely profile.
Nose: Soft and sugary with warm pastry, white chocolate and a vein of potpourri. An array of fruits (peach, apricot and coconut) meets with vanilla, oak chips and a dusting of icing sugar. The addition of water adds some pink wafer biscuits and orange peels.
Taste: Quite bold on the arrival with plenty of kick. Spit-roasted pineapples, apple crumble and hefty ginger spicing are joined by malty fruit loaf, vanilla custard and walnut cake. Dilution reveals notes of soft peak meringue, fresh red berries and dried grass.
Finish: Medium, with building spiciness (ginger and pepper) and a slight steeliness.
This Benriach is fruit driven, but quite powerful. There’s full-bodied youth here – which is not entirely yet in check. Might be an opening for an evening, but if it is, it’s certainly a hefty one.