Benriach Solstice 15 Year Old Peated Port Finish

In January 2011, BenRiach launched the 15 Year Old Solstice, a heavily peated version that got a Tawny Port Pipe finish after the regular maturation on bourbon barrels. It was very well received, which prompted the distillery in releasing a second edition. It has slept a bit longer, because this is a 17 Year Old. The port casks came from the Duoro region in Portugal. It has a very peculiar ruby pink color.

The nose is a balanced mix of sweet berry jam (gooseberry, blackberry, strawberry and raspberry), on sweet peat that offers the smokiness of a bonfire. It even has a farmy side. It becomes sweeter as you leave it to breath. The port wine slowly but surely shines through. Enticing.

The attack is sweet, but more of a dried fruit variety. Raisins, preserved apricots, even some figs. Oh, look, there are the strawberries again. Oh, in full force, very juicy. The smoky blanket around it is absolutely fabulous. And it is very smoky indeed, more than on the nose.

The finish is silky soft, slightly drying and more of the same: peat and sweet port.

Smoked strawberry, what a special combination. And a complete success.

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