Stronachie 18 Year Old Whisky

It is perfect, strides ahead of Macallan

Really enjoying. Freshly cut grass on the nose. Custardy and herbal palate with honey throughout. Good value.

My release seems to be either all bourbon barrels or a very small portion/3rd,4th fill sherry. It is complex, with honey, lemon, oak, malt, and spice. Interesting, cooling, minty finish. Really delicious. Would be 4-4.5 stars, but the bargain price ($45 at the time) makes it a superb deal. Can't believe the value... any "big name" would be easily double.

Someone further down gave this a 1 star and asked why it is called a single malt. Well that's because it is a single malt independent bottling from the Benrinnes distillery. I hope this 5 star rating redresses the balance a bit.

I've tried a lot of scotches and I have liked quiet a few. This one stands out. Bouquet lingers. I like that.

I got a bottle of Stronachie for my 70th birthday. Since my name is Stronach, it was hard to tell who was coming home to who and the more we drank the more uncertain the metaphysical issues became. But it was a great homecoming, anyway.

When you think of paying $250.00 for 18 MaCallen, $ 289.00 for Yamakazi 18, this is dam great and really appreciate the small batch, super fine malt that is in a class of its own. I really liked it, and will buy it again, as it is different and mine now.

Doesnt really feel like an 18 year old but it has a unique feel to it, especially on the nose.

Because it's an 18yo Benrinnes thats inside the bottle. Unless it states single cask on the packaging single malts are a blend of whiskies made from a single distillery ( using malted barley )

Nose:
main notes: waxy honey, resinous, strong first-fill bourbon influence, crayola crayons
Subtle notes: faint unripe banana, wood chips, white vinegar, vegetal (sharp like the smell/fumes from chopping an onion, but not actual onion flavour), with water: toasted barley, toasted bread, burnt popcorn.

Taste:
Main notes: vegetal, buttery, spice, creamy.
Subtle notes: cocoa powder, with water: heather, rich floral notes, the cocoa powder gets stronger.

Mouthfeel: restrained oaky dryness, moderately oily

Finish: light fresh wood, quite short, a little bitter, with water: big dark chocolate, burnt popcorn.

This doesn't taste sherried at all. Personally it's very similar to the balvenie 15 single bourbon barrel (now discontinued). My guess would be that this is from 3rd/4th fill sherry barrels, which is actually quite nice because you get more interesting stuff from the wood rather than the dregs of some grotty old oloroso (a fault of many hastily sherried whiskies.)

This is excellent value for money, just don't go in expecting a'bunadh or glenfarclas styles of sherry.