Introduction to Speyside Benrinnes
Welcome back to Drum Du Jour Online! I’m Scott Wilson, and today, I’m thrilled to share my experience with a lovely Speyside single malt from Benrinnes, located in Aberlour, on Speyside. This distillery, nestled 700 feet above sea level, enjoys the natural blessings of the area – pristine air, peat, barley, and the finest ‘hell water’ from mountain springs.
My Tasting Notes
The Speyside Benrinnes I’m sampling today is a 15-year-old single malt, belonging to their Flora and Fauna Range. This distillery, known for its limited malt production, had partially triple distilled their malts until around 2006-2007. I observe its chill filtration and suspect that its rich golden color might come from added caramel.
On nosing, I detect a wave of sweetness, a mellow yet dominant sherry note, dark fruits like figs, and a touch of marzipan – giving it a festive feel. Tasting it, I first notice a dry sensation, then it opens up to woody and sherry flavours, with a faint presence of peat, coffee, vanilla, and honey. The mouthfeel is exceptional, coating the inside of my mouth beautifully.
The Transformation with Water
When I add a splash of water, it marvelously opens up the dram, revealing a pine-like flavor, reminiscent of a forest walk post-rain. There’s marzipan again, and a subtle chocolate note, like licking the dough from a chocolate chip cookie bowl. The finish is a dark, bitter chocolate, yet wonderfully mellow and pleasing.
Comparisons and My Final Thoughts
I find this whisky similar to the Glenallachie 12-year-old and Glendronach, yet it stands out with its unique character. A heartfelt thanks to my friend David for this exquisite gift. I can certainly see myself savoring more of this. I hope you found this useful and join me again for another tasting on Drum Du Jour. Slainte Mhath!