I already tried the overwhelming majority of the core vary whiskies from Benriach, since they had been rebranded in 2020. There was nonetheless a spot between Benriach 12 Years and Benriach 21 Years although. The Benriach 16 12 months Previous crammed this up in 2022, after it went lacking from the portfolio in 2016 resulting from inventory shortages.
I all the time thought the Sixteen was largely overshadowed by the Benriach 20 12 months Previous, which was one among my favorite on a regular basis malts fifteen years in the past.
Benriach 16 yo (43%, OB +/- 2023, bourbon + sherry + virgin oak)
Nostril: fairly basic, on orchard fruits, inexperienced apples and pears. Some honeyed breakfast cereals and hints of bread crust, in addition to caramel notes and candy cream. Then a light-weight musty / leafy notice, in all probability associated to the sherry casks. One thing of vegetal oil as nicely.
Mouth: fairly a fruity core once more, now exhibiting a calmly tropical edge. Lemons and oranges, yellow apples, hints of golden raisins. Then the woody notes develop into stronger, with hints of natural tea. Biscuity notes, in addition to butterscotch and a contact of bitterness.
End: medium, with oak spice, extra leafy notes, plain malt and raisin sweetness.
Nonetheless an satisfying on a regular basis dram, however nothing thrilling both. For the reason that Authentic Ten, Twelve and Sixteen come from the identical three cask sorts, I feel they miss some separation. Whereas it is among the cheaper single malts within the 15-18 12 months class, the Sixteen might use a singular promoting level to set it aside. And the next ABV for that matter. Obtainable from The Whisky Alternate or Royal Mile Whiskies as an illustration.
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