An always welcome visit to Benrinnes. Despite being in the Deep, Rich & Dried Fruits category, this has been fully matured in a 2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel. Interesting.
Nose: Fresh apples and crumble mix are given a decadent topping of chocolate sauce, gingerbread and vanilla toffee. Bright ripe pears, tangerines and nectarines and joined by walnuts and marzipan whilst resting adds dried mango slices and dusty cinnamon spices. Water reveals lemon balm, pink wafer biscuits and rolled pastry.
Taste: The arrival is soft, but with a mouth-coating texture of slight (but pleasing) greasiness. Bright and vibrant oranges, mandarins and quince jelly are livened further by cinnamon, ginger and pepper spicing, and sweetened with sponge cake soaked in orange liqueur. Toffee and chocolate bright up the rear for more sweet treats. Reduction adds ground coffee, and lovely sweetness from plums, berries, kiwi fruit and melon – in fact, this whisky adores water – incredible juicy sweetness. Delightful.
Finish: Long with dried fruits, crumbled chocolate and soft sticky toffee.
A glorious Benrinnes that sherryheads should be all over, despite there not being a sherry cask in sight. Bright, precise, delicious and even more delectable with a few drops of water. Joint pick of the month.