Benriach 20 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

The story of BenRiach – ”the Hill of the Red Deer”, is typical of the great Speyside distilleries. Built in 1898 by John Duff, the distillery is sited amongst the rolling barley fields that rise to the foothills of the Grampian mountains. The barley used in crafting the whisky is grown around the distillery and the water is drawn through the Burnside Spring that lies deep below the distillery. Only a handful of Scottish distilleries still make their own malt. One of them is Benriach. The maltings stand beside the distillery and twice a week the prize barley is delivered to be steeped, spread and raked until it begins to sprout. Gentle heat then works its magic and the raw grain becomes the essential ingredient of a Scotch Malt Whisky. The distillery manager oversees the slow and deliberate crafting process of BenRiach whisky – managing the transformation from malted barley to wash, to distilled spirit and into high quality oak casks, some sourced from the great sherry bodegas of Spain. Re opening in 1965 after a 65 year absence from the market, the Benriach distillery was virtually rebuilt by The Glenlivet Distillers Ltd. in 1985 and enlarged to four stills. Its product is highly regarded by blenders and has been available as an "official" single malt bottling only since 1994. 43% Alc./Vol.

Tasting Notes: Nose: Mature. Dry oak, wood oil, cedar, eucalypt, tobacco, chocolate, vanilla. Has weight behind: big, lush fruitiness, apricot, marzipan. Palate: Soft fruits crisped up by oak. Well integrated flavours. Smooth and not as oaky as nose. Lightly honeyed, coconut. Finish: Dry, bracken like, then toffee. Comment: Long, elegant and soft. Rating: 8.25/10
- David Broom / www.whiskymag.comsize>

Other reviews… The opening whiffs are reminiscent of forest floor leafs; following aeration deeper aromas of dry malt, linseed oil and pine emerge. The palate entry is balanced between acidity and malt sweetness; at midpalate the flavor profile highlights tastes of oak… Rating: 90-95
- www.wineenthusiast.comsize>