Tasting 5 Benrinnes

Benrinnes and sherry casks is rumored to go very well together. Immediately I can only see one such combination in this line-up. The signatory.








Benrinnes 20yo 1974-1994 43% Signatory Vintage cask#2577 btl.453/620

"Matured in sherry casks" the label says, I guess they meant "cask". brown caramel color. It smells bitter, toffee, leather, sandals, fresh, thyme, mint, honey, a great nose. The taste is nice, deep sherry, cinnamon, chillies, rubber, sulphur, onions, barbecue glaze. Water added. Now it turns lighter, more like a malt liqueur to be fair, I would not recommend adding water to this one. Water removes all complexity.

Very good sherried whisky: 6


Benrinnes 19yo 1971-1991 55.3% Cadenhead's

Says its matured in an "oak cask"The color is light brown-ish with some amber. And a lot of cask sediments. It smells rich, root vegetables, carrot juice, white grapes, cotton, sweet licorice, grapefruit, vegetable stock, cocoa, milk chocolate, old candy shop smell, earl grey tea, fantastic nose. The taste is as thick and creamy as it gets, fried bacon, honey and chillies, barbecue-sauce, cinnamon, kiwi, salt, a bit phenolic in the finish, but this sherry-bomb handles that with no problems.

I don't think they make sherried whiskies like this anymore: 9.5


Benrinnes 21yo 1979-2000 57.6% Scott's Selection

Another one that comes from "oak cask". Could it be another sherry surprise? The color is golden. It smells honey, oaky, malty, very malty. Seems to come from some kind wood a lot if distillate notes in this one. The taste is honey, wheat, citrussy, almost acidic, bitter, lemons and lime, also some coconut and vanilla. Water added. Now it turns sweeter, more honey, cinnamon, sugar, fruit syrup, for a real sweet-tooth. This is not to be had if you look for peaty, oaky, dry, strong whiskies, this needs a drop of water and its like the lightest of blends.

That being said, its a perfect aperitif to any meal: 7


Benrinnes 17yo 1977-1994 63.6% James MacArthur's

Crazy strength, often found in sherry wood as its usually tighter than the american bourbon oak. Golden color. It smells sweet, perfumy, floral, garlic, baby lotion, vanilla, white wine, very gentle for its strength, I expected something a bot more volatile. The taste is sweet, at first, meybe some leather and bitter herbs, but then it becomes this dry and spirity thing. Water is needed. Now it gets more drinkable, but its still a wile, burnt and futile spirit. I'll pass. Next!

Hard to find any good to say, The nose was good though: 3


Benrinnes 12yo 63.8% James MacArthur's

So, same bottler, almost same strength, just a few years less on wood. I don't have my hopes up yet. Golden color. It smells spirity, raw, some burnt sugar and paint thinner. The taste is strong, peppery and bitter, not much going on here, again I will have to add some water, not because its a volatile whisky, but it just seems a bit closed this time. Now it turns more mellow, still bitter and oaky, no, I just don't get it, these are not the classic Benrinnes with sweet, sherried and malt notes, something is missing here.

The palate initially, had a some alright notes: 2



Next tasting: Old Pulteney Distillery