Having reviewed - and loving - the Benriach Smoky Twelve, along with a wonderful independent bottling from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, I am super curious about this ten-year expression, which features virgin oak intervention along with the ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.
BenRiach is owned by the somewhat frowned-upon Brown-Forman corporation - along with GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh - and is perhaps best known these days for its association with Billy Walker, the Scotch whisperer. This bottle is naturally colored, unknown chill-filtration (the crux of the Brown-Forman debate), and bottled at 43% - let's dig in.Nose: Pear and vanilla, straightaway. Rich, poached pear - much like the SMWS bottling I had - along with vanilla pods. Malted barley and hay. Oak wood - likely the virgin oak influence coming through. After the pear, a landslide of other fruit, although it is much more faint: pineapple and mango especially.
Mouthfeel: Medium oily.
Palate: More earthy than the nose would suggest - fresh-cut grass, hay/straw, smoke, loam/moss, malted barley, pear, vanilla. There is a certain bitter, strident note, probably from the virgin casks.
Finish: Tendrils of smoke, rich oak wood, some light pepper and spice, and long-lasting vanilla sweetness. Quite pleasant.
Verdict: Well, this is another winner, alongside the worthy Smoky Twelve. I would drink this anytime. The rich orchard nose and the earthy, gritty palate may not correspond perfectly, but they balance each other out, and each offer something nice. Recommended.
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