BenRiach 21 Year Old

This new 21 years old release from BenRiach was one of the first achievements of Master Blender Rachel Barrie, when she joined the company after leaving Morrison-Bowmore. For the compostion, she used no less than 4 types of casks: bourbon, virgin oak, PX sherry and red wine casks (if memory serves, Rioja).

The nose is very sweet and a touch floral, but wonderfully waxy. Think honey square over white and yellow fruit. Apple, lemon and a hint of banana. Cake. White chocolate. Close to candy-like.

Creamy body and perfect drinking strength. The sweet notes of the nose return, but are joined by a feisty spiciness. Chili pepper, ginger, toasted oak. The virgin oak rears it head. Peppered fruit salad, if you know what I mean.

The finish is medium long, mildly spicy and sweet on yellow fruit.

Not bad at all, but if the label had said 11 years instead of 21, I would still have believed it. I had hoped for a bit more for my 80th encounter with BenRiach. Around 125 EUR.

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