Well-aged Benrinnes distilled back in August of 1997 and then matured in a refill ex-bourbon barrel. Sweet, Fruity & Mellow profile.
Nose: Fruits and nuts as promised. Strawberries and raspberries – part topping a pavlova, part reduced into a sticky jam. Alongside – chopped almonds, ginger cake and buttery biscuit (base). Reduction adds some ex-bourbon notes of vanilla and coconut shavings along with cinnamon and sunflower oil.
Taste: An oily and silky arrival of Victoria sponge cake and orange peels with plenty of vanilla pods and desiccated coconut. The mid-palate offers up citrus with lime zest, alongside earthy spices of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. The addition of water adds biscuit crumb as well as heightening the inherent nuttiness of the whisky – marzipan with drying oak.
Finish: Medium, part creamy, part dusty with wood and white pepper.
A nicely fruity Benrinnes with a well-judged backbone of spiciness that’s peppy but still well-balanced. One to hold onto for the warmer summer months.