.benriach - 16

43% abv, €43

single malt, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: fresh, fruit, white grapes, citrus, white grapefruit,
Palate: sweet, creamy, casting sugar, macarons, spicy, white pepper

Finish: spicy, sweet, liquorice root, medium long, spicy, white pepper
Mark: ++/+++ 

Conclusion: Stuff, with things.

update from 26/11/2011 - no real big changes. Still not a big fan.

.the benriach - 1997-2012 - g&m - cc

In the Northern areas of the Speyside region lies the Benriach distillery, known for a rich and fruity character of their spirit. In 1997, independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail purchased a batch of this spirit and matured it in their own refill ex-Sherry Hogsheads, to be bottled in 2012 for their 'Connoisseurs Choice' label, their very successful range of exclusive single malts.

46% abv, €60
single malt, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: sweet, marzipan, fruity, fresh raspberries, dried fruits, raisins, herbal, laurel, sage, nuts, almonds

Palate: sweet, creamy, spicy, cloves, black pepper, nuts, almonds, macadamia nuts,

Finish: sweet, nuts, macadamia nuts, hazel nuts, medium long, light
Mark: +++/++ 

Conclusion: quite spicy, yet light and fruity. Very likeable.

.many thanks to Gordon & Macphail for sending us a sample to review

.benriach - 17yo - twe exclusive

Another Whisky Exchange Exclusive we received a sample of recently. Normally I am not a big fan of overly sweet and heavy Pedro Ximenez matured or finished whisky, but this has a very subtle PX-touch.

.the benriach - 12 - arumaticus fumosus

46% abv, €40, single malt, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: mint, eucalyptus, slight smoke, gin (coriander?) hard herbs, rosemary, lemon-thyme
Palate: sweet, honey, floral, heather, herbs, sage, spicy, white pepper
Finish: gentle, sweet, sugar, floral, heather, violets
Mark: +++/++

Conclusion: if you can find a bottle, I could recommend trying it. Do not expect Islay peat, but try to get in blank. Slowly we are getting to try more from the series of whiskies the Benriach distillery have created, and up till now, I am not disappointed.

More info from the website: "released in May 2007, BenRiach 'Arumaticus Fumosus' is part of a range of three 12 year old heavily peated BenRiachs, originally matured in American oak and then finished either in sherry, port or dark rum wood.

In the case of 'Arumaticus Fumosus', the whisky has been finished in Jamaican Dark Rum Barrels, and the name, which is Latin, literally translates to 'smoky rum'. This maintains the tradition of giving our peated expressions Latin names, which started with Curiositas (10 years old) and Authenticus (21 years old), and which has become somewhat of a signature for BenRiach."

Only 290 casks (1740 bottles) were available worldwide.

.benriach - 1992-2012 - sauternes cask

51,5% abv, single malt, non-chill filtered, natural color, single cask, cask strength

Nose: sweet, oak (but only a little), sugar, white chocolate, fresh coffee
Palate: strong and gentle, honey, sweet, butter, flowers (tulips), white chocolate, hout, red fruits
Finish: long, oak, honey, red fruits, dry, hard
Score: ++++/+

Conclusion: Me Likey. The sweet notes from the ex-Sauternes casks where this beauty has matured in give the spirit a nice sweet overall scent, taste and a lovely finish somewhere between sweet and dry. Good stuff as an digestive or served as dessert whisky complementing a Crêpe Suzette, or even better: replacing the Grand Marnier in the recipe and served in a good measure for the remainder of the evening.
Great, now I am hungry.

.benriach - 20

43% abv, €60, single malt

Nose: fruit, flowers, honey, grapes, mildly sugar sweet, turkish delight, sharp
Palate: sweet, fruity, turkish delight, sweet apples, very gentle with a splach of water
Finish: sharp, sweet, very present, but sadly - very short.
Mark: +++++

Conclusion: I have said 'hmmm' a couple of times. This would qualify as a whisky-whisky. Of all impressions I get, nothing is too much; not too sweet, not too sharp, not too boring. Maybe just a little too short on the finish though.
The price is quite steep with €60,- but she is worth it.

.benriach - 12

.benriach - 12

43% abv, €30, single malt

Nose: mildly sweet, floral
Palate: mildly sweet, slightly spicy
Finish: Light sweet, slight alcohol prickle,
Mark: +++++

Conclusion: This is a great example of whisky. Nothing special, just whisky. Good to have a bottle around when you are in the mood for... whisky.