Benrinnes is a distillery from whom I've had very little. According to my records, in fact, I've only had a single bottle - from Single Cask Nation, no less - and I loved it. This one, a 15 year old that's finished in rum casks from Barbados, caught my eye immediately because of my lack of experience with the spirit.
Benrinnes is a Speyside distillery owned by John Dewar and Sons, who also owns Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie (a favorite of mine), Macduff, and Royal Brackla. They are known for having a heavier spirit, and still use worm tub condensers.
As for what rum was first held in the finishing casks, who knows. Mount Gay? Foursquare? Could be anything. 15 years, unknown time in the finishing cask, bottled at 54.2% ABV. Let's dig right in:
Nose: Vanilla, overripe banana, apple, pear, malted barley, hints of something industrial (copper or iron?). Simple, but rich. The rum cask REALLY makes its presence felt with the banana notes.
Mouthfeel: Like most Blackadder, very good mouthfeel. On the heavier side of medium.
Palate: Brown sugar, a landslide of bananas, vanilla, apples, cut grass and smoking hay. The deeper into the bottle, the more the smoke comes out.
The Barbados rum really makes itself felt here as well, and it augments the already fruity Speyside profile with thick rum notes. Quite nice and sweet.
Finish: Banana, oak, molasses, and light but distinct metallic smoke. Hints of metal as well. Medium length.
Verdict: Tons of rum influence here, banana and brown sugar every which way you look. And it's delightful - it pairs so well with the natural apple and pear notes, and also with those unusual heavy metallic hints as well. Fresh, sweet, nuanced - a good dram with a great mouthfeel as well.
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