A Thrilling Speyside Unique Cask from the Coveted Benriach
2009 Benriach 12 12 months Previous “Hart Brothers Most interesting Assortment” Okay&L Unique Cask Energy Single Sherry Butt Unchillfiltered Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) ($99.99)
“This distillery has been completely on hearth lately … Nobody will probably be dissatisfied with this distinctive cask. It’s fabulous!” — David Othenin-Girard, Okay&L Spirits Purchaser
As our Unique Cask program hums proper alongside, the spirits staff has simply taken in one other unbelievable haul from probably the most compelling and in-demand Speyside distilleries in operation at present. Our long-time single malt fanatics have caught on to the totally thrilling whiskies popping out of Benriach, and phrase of the genius of grasp blender Rachel Barrie is reaching all corners of the Scotch world. So, think about our out-and-out pleasure once we secured three particular person 12-year-old casks from this dynamic powerhouse via our connections with the ever-amazing Hart Brothers Most interesting Assortment. We’re agency believers that you could by no means have sufficient Benriach available, and three casks in a single swoop is an efficient place to begin. On provide at present is the 12 12 months Previous Sherry Butt, a monumental jaw-dropper that brings all of the punch and energy that sherry cask fanatics crave. Purchaser David Othenin-Girard describes a very multifaceted stunner in his overview beneath, and all for a sub-$100 value. Even with the kaleidoscopic complexity from the growing older vessel taking heart stage, the now-famous, strong Benriach malt nonetheless manages to make its presence recognized in a full-throttle model. That is the only cask we’ve all been ready for, and now’s the time to come up with it.
Okay&L Notes: Benriach is rapidly changing into probably the most engaging names in Scotch. They’ve received some large awards, significantly for his or her barely smoky 12 12 months Previous expression designed by the illustrious Rachel Barrie. Rachel is extraordinarily adept at creating merchandise that supply nuance and complexity, whereas not compromising on taste. What we don’t see a lot out of most distilleries as of late are LOUD whiskies—ones that step up and shout at you. And whereas we don’t at all times need to be screamed at, it’s not possible to disclaim the thrilling feeling of getting packed right into a sweaty membership and having a heavy steel band blow your socks off. It’s OK to take pleasure in it and nonetheless need to go to the opera subsequent weekend. You don’t have cease liking Weapons N’ Roses since you love ballet. That is daring, unabashed Benriach with 12 years in sherry butts, bottled at cask power with out chillfiltration or coloring. It may not be as punk rock as Ardbeg, however it’s nonetheless fairly cool. Most significantly, it’s completely scrumptious and completely well worth the value of admission. We should thank Alistair Hart and his good popularity for getting us backstage passes to this occasion. Bottled with out coloring or chillfiltration at a cask power of 58.2% ABV.
David Othenin-Girard | Okay&L Workers Member | Assessment Date: June 01, 2022
It’s a sherry butt from Benriach! This distillery has been completely on hearth lately due to grasp blender Rachel Barrie and all these awards. However the factor that individuals really need from this glorious Speysider, one of many few to function its personal malt flooring in Scotland, are single casks. So we purchased three of them. Having three totally different casks permits us to actually start to know quintessential character of Benriach, which is a distillery that’s arduous to pin down within the first place, the range of its choices being considered one of its most outstanding options. This sherry butt would be the most interesting to many, due to the continued obsession by most malt lovers with darkish sherry casks. Let’s have a style! The colour is a gorgeous tawny. A pleasant darkish one right here! I let it relaxation for ten minutes earlier than first nosing. OMG, the nostril has that excellent oloroso spice and nutty richness. Instantly, we get outdated saddle leather-based, the darkest cacao, stewed purple fruit, and candied citrus. On the palate, liquified Christmas pudding, candy and richly spiced. Large notes of cola, sarsaparilla, shoe polish, purple currants, and a slight flinty character (not fairly gunpowder). This positively loves water as effectively, which softens the savory, leathery nostril and opens the jammy purple fruit and wealthy, savory nuttiness. The daring ‘Riach malt nonetheless manages to poke via the wealthy wine and wooden flavors. Tasting these three casks in succession is a very eye-opening expertise. Nobody will probably be dissatisfied with this distinctive cask. It’s fabulous! Whereas the sister distillery offered out in a flash, this humble cask of Benriach stays one of many best casks within the store, however it’s going to solely take a couple of folks to comprehend how particular that is for it to vanish just like the ‘Dronach we had.
