torsdag 11. november 2010

4 Benrinnes tasted between 1.4.2008-28.5.2011

Benrinnes 14yo 1994-2008 46% Dun Bheagan

A sherried Benrinnes, I did love the 14yo sherried 1994 OMC Benrinnes last time I tried, maybe this one can reach those high, or even surpass. Smells fresh, green herbs, olive oil, chives, a bit soapy. The taste is certainly oaky, lots of character, but it's just too simple. With water it gets sweeter, bananas and vanilla, but the aftertaste is acidic and ruins much of the potential palate pleasure.

An oaky Benrinnes with little soul: 4



Benrinnes/Stronachie 12yo 43% Dewar's

Stronachie has, according to many online sources been outed as a Benrinnes malt, after many a year as a good kept secret, when it comes to distillery of origin. I've always enjoyed my Benrinnes when sherry-matured, how will this lighter version make it? The smell is round, soft, woody, cigars, toast and bacon. The taste is just as pleasant, easy, rubbery, cinnamon, rope, dry. It's not my favourite Benrinnes by far, but it's a pleasant, honest working-class malt whisky.

A naughty speysider: 5



Benrinnes 23yo 1986-2009 58.8% OB

A cask strength version from this little known, and little sought after, but to my experience very good distillery. This sherry cask has definately made it's mark, and the taste is estremely sweet and pungent, a real kick. It's very dry, and the afteretaste is almost too phenolic. A small drop of water makes the finish a bit softer. This is a crazy cask, one of the strongest sherry notes I've ever tried.

Dry, peppery and sherried: 5



Benrinnes 14yo 1994-2008 50% Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask

Benrinnes is one that's hard to find, but I've heard some good about it. It comes across as very elegant on the nosing, fresh, fruity and pretty spiced. Gets me thinking the percentage of alcohol may be a bit high. But the taste is nicely tuned, with spices, herbs, sour fruits and a nice crisp finish. A malt that would bless almost any occation.

Almost perfect: 9

Ingen kommentarer: