Country – Region: Scotland – Speyside
Distillery: BenRiach
Type: Single Malt
Age: 10
Cask: Bourbon, Virgin Oak, Sherry
ABV: 43%
Proof: 86
Price: $55
Nose: Stewed apples, honey, toasted bread, a touch of citrus, orchard fruits
Palate: Malt sweetness, pears, cinnamon, caramel, vanilla, nuts
Finish: Medium long, malt porridge, bitter currant, deep sweetness with almonds
BenRiach The Original Ten is the first of the revamped core range from the Speyside distillery. BenRiach didn't only change the branding but also changed a whole core range. All 10 and 12 year old whiskies in the core range are aged in three different casks at least 10 years now. This 10-year-old single malt is 'Three Cask Matured'. These casks are ex-bourbon, virgin oak and Sherry casks. After seeing Dr. Rachel Barrie being appointed as the Master Blender a couple of years ago, we were all looking forward to these days.
How Does It Taste?
A deep sweetness was my first sentence in my mind. I certainly found the malt sweetness BenRiach offers. A Speyside character with stewed apples, honey and vanilla greet you on the nose. Toasted bread and a touch of citrus develop in the glass in time and orchard fruits create a great base all over. The palate is very well balanced with malty sweetness, peats, cinnamon, caramel. Vanilla spices and nuts lead to the finish in a very pleasant way.
The finish is medium long. It is malty and reminded me of sweet porridge. Then, suddenly a bitterness hit like currants and a deep sweetness with almond traces ends the tasting.
Verdict
BenRiach The Original Ten shows typical flavors from all three cask styles without overpowering each other. It feels more complex and luscious than a 10-year-old Speysider. At the price of $55, this is a must-try.
