With malts aged 10, 12, 21, 25, and 30 years previous — all in its everlasting line — Speyside’s Benriach determined it wanted to fill within the center a bit, and the yr it’s including a 16 yr previous expression to the lineup — formally denoted as The Sixteen.
Benriach 16 Years Previous was retired from the portfolio in 2016. The brand new launch is a reformulation that sees the whisky matured in a mix of bourbon barrels, sherry casks, and virgin oak casks.
“The return of Benriach The Sixteen is a really particular second for the distillery as it’s one in every of our most treasured expressions,” mentioned Rachel Barrie, Grasp Blender for Benriach. “Our signature Speyside type blossoms at 10 years previous, discovering depth and richer layers of orchard fruit character because it turns 16. Our core taste elements of fruit, malt, and oak turn out to be extra concentrated, enriched with age at 16 years previous, bringing layers of stone fruit, easy creamy malt, wild honey, and nutty oak spice.”
The whisky reveals Benriach on its extra savory aspect, that includes an oaky nostril that layers in notes of leather-based and vintage books. Distinctly malty, the cereal parts create a grainy, barely mushroomy base upon which light aromas of baked apples and a pinch of baking spice seem. That leathery nostril serves as an applicable base upon which to construct the palate, and right here the fruit and spice parts turn out to be extra forceful. Apples, some lemon, and a saline high quality all emerge rapidly, resulting in a end that’s heat and toasty — day-old bread smeared with marmalade. Oddly, a lot of this feels prefer it wouldn’t be misplaced in an island-born malt, the fade-out evoking a unusually maritime character that had me dreaming of seaweed, for higher or worse.
86 proof.
B+ / $115 / benriachdistillery.com [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY EXCHANGE]
Benriach The Sixteen
$115
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