Benrinnes 15 Year Old

Yet another review I've lost at the last hurdle ... Grrrr!

I'll try again: this is the flora and fauna version of Benrinnes. Bottle has been open a few months with four fifths left. Review is neat.

Nose - quite muted. Brown bread, wisp of menthol, mild toffee, vague sourness.

Taste - sweet, sour and a touch of umami. All quite vague and generic. Slight floral and yeasty notes emerge over time.

Finish - short. Hint of peat, dry, slight sweetness and a touch of soapiness.

With water: just don't ...

All in all, a little underwhelming. The flavours are 'OK' but it's all very undefined and a bit lacklustre. Currently cooking a roast pork and celeriac mash and this is perfect for casually sipping whilst not paying much attention. That would be fine but, at £60, one expects a little more. By comparison, the Thompson Bro's blend knocks this out of the park in a h2h, and is half the price!

I rarely 'dis' a whisky for its presentation, but I'll have to make exception here: this whisky feels like it has been neutered. And it's a shame, as I sense there is a decent, and more expressive, malt underneath.

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