BenRiach 1996 Old Malt Cask 23-Year
47.6% ABV - Speyside, Scotland
Nose: Creamed honey, shortbread, and white fruits greet you. Lemon citrus, standing a bit farther back.
Taste: Light and fruity, with peach, pear, pomegranate, and notes of citrus.
Finish: Spritely finish with apple, spices, and hints of tropical fruit and dry oak.
One of the reasons that I bought this BenRiach is to have a comparison for another bottle that I have. The one I refer to is an 18-Year finished in a Tawny Port Pipe; it is quite the contrast to this 23-Year fully matured in a Refill Hogshead. (Another reason was the really good price considering the age and fact it’s a single cask.)
The entire Old Malt Cask range of single cask scotch absolutely knocks it out of the park. I find that they are excellent bottles to take a chance or roll the dice on… I haven’t been very disappointed with any of the bottles I have bought nor the ones that I have tasted. (I have tasted around 24 different releases, from various distilleries, and they average a score above 85 and one hit the 95-mark!)
Often the Old Malt Cask releases are bottled at 50% ABV, but this is 47.6% and printed on the label is: Natural Cask Strength. Yum!
Details: Refill Hogshead. Cask Ref. HL16005. Distilled March 1996, Bottled October 2019. One of 310 bottles.
Tasting Notes (Official): Nose: Sweet with vanilla fudge, apple and a hint of citrus. Palate: Smooth with toffee, pear and apricot. Finish: Long and lingering with fruit and a hint of oak.
Tasted 11 February 2024. (Posted 15 April 2024.)
