Benriach The Original Ten

Benriach Distillery is located in the region Speyside in Scotland.

This is what they say about The Original Ten:

The Original Ten encapsulates the signature smooth and multi-layered character of Benriach. Three cask matured for at least ten years in bourbon barrels, sherry casks and virgin oak, to create layers of luscious orchard fruit, sumptuous honeyed malt and toasted oak, all interwoven with a subtle trace of smoke. The perfect introduction to our signature style and richly layered Speyside Single Malt.

The sherry casks were four 500 litres Oloroso butts. The master blender Rachel Barrie has added some peated whisky, but I did not manage to detect it. The whisky is bottled at 43 ABV. It is available in Norway at NOK 529,90. (The image at vinmonopolet.no is of the old bottle. My bottle is the new one!)

Fruity and fresh on the nose. Light and elegant. Some ripe fruits. The nose becomes rich after tasting it. I get oak, apples and pears. Smooth and fruity on the palate. Crispy pears and pineapple at first. Rich and spicy. Some cereal. Then marshmallows and caramel. Salt, ginger and black pepper. Spicy finish. Nutmeg, a bit dry – peanut shells. A bit oily.

My score: nose 22 / taste 22 / finish 21 / balance 22 = 87

-Tone