Benrinnes, another rather unknown distillery. There have been some tremendous Benrinnes, which I really liked, from sherry casks. This one could be something very nice! Lets hope it lives up to my expectations!

Nose:
It smells young, and its 25 years old. What’s happening here? Quite some alcohol and I’m getting the idea this was laid down in a third fill sherry butt. I think I smell coriander. Leaf herbs, but still spirity. Some biscuits.

Taste:
Lots of pepper and some biscuits again. A tiny hint of lemon zest. It gets a bit smoother after a while and then a little bit of creamy vanilla pops up. Creme brulee without the caramel.

Finish:
Something that sears your tongue a little at first, and then very smooth. A short finish as well and nothing exciting is happening.

This cask is truly a blenders’ dram in my view. I get the feeling the cask has been reused too often and it had only a little maturing influence on the whisky. Its not a bad whisky, but there is nothing there to remember it by.

Benrinnes 25, 17-10-1984 – 19-8-2010, 51%, available at the Bladnoch webshop and distillery.

Nose: 4
Taste: 5
Finish: 5
Overal experience: 4
Price/quality: 0

Total: 18 points