Description
Benriach 21YO 700ml is a Speyside single malt from the Benriach distillery, made from a combination of unpeated and peated spirit. It is four cask matured for at least 21 years in bourbon barrels, sherry casks, virgin oak casks and Bordeaux red wine casks, then bottled at 46% ABV with natural cask colour.
Buy Benriach 21YO Online in NZ
Benriach was founded in 1898 by John Duff on the site of the old Riach farm in the north of Speyside. Just two years later the Pattison Crash shut it down, and although its floor maltings kept supplying malted barley to neighbouring Longmorn, the stills did not run again until 1965. In the early 1970s the distillery began making some peated spirit in the old nineteenth-century style, a rare move in Speyside, and today it makes classic unpeated, peated and triple distilled whisky.
Benriach holds an unusually wide range of cask types in its warehouses, and its older whiskies are built from four different casks. Each cask type matures the spirit in its own way before Master Blender Dr Rachel Barrie marries them together. Over two decades, the sweet Speyside smoke softens and blends into the fruit, malt and oak, developing into what the distillery calls a honey smoke.
Benriach’s peat comes from the Highlands rather than the coast, giving a sweet, woodland smoke that is quite different from the more maritime style of Islay. In the 21 year old it stays in the background, adding depth to layers of orchard fruit and toasted pine.
Pour it neat into a tulip glass and give it a few minutes to open. A few drops of water will bring out more fruit and honey. Enjoy it after dinner with a cheeseboard, poached pears or dark chocolate.
- Speyside single malt from Benriach, Scotland
- Bourbon, sherry, virgin oak and Bordeaux red wine casks
- Aged at least 21 years, 46% ABV
The nose offers berry fruit, orchard apple, wild honey and mountain oak spice. On the palate expect candied grape, rich cocoa and smoked pine nut, finishing with caramelised pear and gentle honey smoke.
A rewarding bottle for single malt drinkers who enjoy fruit and a light touch of smoke, or a fine gift for a milestone.
