Brilliantly peaty 12-year-old whisky here from the Benriach Distillery, released as part of its new core range launched in 2020. To create this expression, Dr. Rachel Barrie used a combo of bourbon, sherry and Marsala wine casks, imparting sun-dried fruit and warming festive spice notes to the smoky single malt. Ought to be fab for chilly evenings, this one...
Flamed orange peel, chocolate brownies fresh from the oven, raisins and walnuts.
Well-rounded sweetness from the Marsala casks wonderfully juxtaposed with woody smoke and a hint of clove.
Almond, orange once again, peppercorn and hickory.
As other reviews say, it's no peat beast, it's more subtle and adds a great character but not over powering at all If people are looking to try a more traditional scotch (ie peated) but don't enjoy Islay this is probably a great shout, really is great scotch Nose I got orange oils, chocolate and whiskey Palate Gentle, Well-rounded, woody smoke, wine cask and a hint of peppercorn/spice Finish is awesome, not powerful but it does linger Nutty citrus, peppercorn and gentle peat.
No water required. Lots of dark fruits, honey sweet and citrus orange zest . Some oily oak notes with a little peat smoke to finish. A respectable Speysider . £ for £ it represents great value in the £35- 50 range.
If it was called benriach twelve I'd have no issues. Really drinkable and if anything on the light side. It is smokey on the nose and it does finish smokey. The forward notes are more the marsala and sherry casks with a fruity or sharp taste, with a light vanilla/sweetness maybe from the bourbon cask. Nice nip but not overly complex.
Very impressed with this immediately from my freshly opened bottle. As others have mentioned, not as smoky as expected maybe (it’s not an Islay in the regard), but smoky enough to add something interesting and enjoyable to an already delicious dram. Doubt this bottle will last me long.
Freshly opened bottle. This has a very good, fruity, tangy, moderately smoky nose. The marsala fruitiness and smoke continue in the palate, and the bourbon cask influence becomes stronger in the finish, again with a significant measure of peaty smoke. This is a really nice dram with some serious thought given to how it all works together.
