Benrinnes 17 Year Old Maltman

Benrinnes is one of the few distilleries to use worm tubs instead of the more common condensors. This makes, dixit Diageo, for a unique character. The lion’s share of the 2,5 million liters produced every year, disappears into their blends Johnnie Walker, J&B and Crawford’s. The Meadowside Blending Company from Andy Hart, was able to put their hands on a cask of 17 Year Old Benrinnes.

The nose is fruity on mandarin and dried pineapple. Honeysweet, thanks to a touch of butterscotch and a hefty helping of caramel. Very creamy, mildly spicy. A good start.

It is very creamy on the palate as well. It starts of sweet on pineapple, citrus and caramel, but then a bitter side turns up. But the balance is sufficient, in contrast with the previously tasted Centenary Reserve bottling from Gordon & Macphail. Nice and warm because of a light trace of woodsmoke. I am, for some reasons, thinking about Sabayon. Quid?

The finish is long and sweet, mild on spices and drying.

This whisky, while not a big Scotch, is very nice. Around 60 EUR.

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