
Country – Region: Scotland – Speyside
Distillery: BenRiach
Type: Single Malt
Age: 21
Cask: Bourbon, Virgin American Oak, Pedro Ximenez, Red Wine Casks
ABV: 46%
Proof: 92
Price: $225
Nose: Wonderful opening with punchy oak and fruit orchard. Some air develops the nose to show some candy floss and exotic fruits like papaya.
Palate: Chocolate like start in the palate with a subtle gingery feeling, ripe plums, cranberry and light coffee.
Finish: Really long giving you some cereal notes blended with honey and touches of caramel.
I had the chance to try BenRiach 21 with the Brand Ambassador Rory Glasgow, who is a magnificent young fellow up in the West Coast. I loved the way we talked about the whisky and couldn't resist more.
This new expression from BenRiach was a good innovation for the brand. 4 different cask types were used while giving life to this whisky, namely bourbon Barrels as expected, enriched by virgin American oak, Pedro Ximenez and red wine casks.
Of course, the finishing touch is given by the Master Blender Rachel Barrie by blending these four casks into an exciting, rich and balanced whisky.
BenRiach 21 is not your Sherry bomb or your orchard in the island. It has roots from all over the place but most importantly it develops in time. I dig whiskies which develop in the glass as time flows. That is a huge reason why I really liked this whisky.