BenRiach 20-year Oloroso 1995

Experience the profound depth and complexity of BenRiach's 1995 Single Cask, a limited-edition marvel aged 20 years in a luxurious Oloroso butt. This exquisite Speyside Scotch, bottled at 103.6 proof, offers an unparalleled journey of rich dried fruits, dark chocolate, and elegant oak spice, a true testament to masterful maturation. Discover your own bottle from this rare release, specially selected for Premium Spirits, Belgium.

Tasting Notes

Nose: A sophisticated perfume of dark dried fruits immediately greets the senses – think figs, dates, and plump raisins, interwoven with rich Sherry notes from the Oloroso butt. Beneath this, there's a subtle nuttiness, perhaps roasted almonds, and a faint whisper of old leather and polished oak, indicative of its long maturation. A hint of orange zest and baking spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg, provides further complexity. There's an underlying sweetness, almost like demerara sugar, and a distant trace of dark chocolate.

Palate: The entry is sumptuously rich and oily, coating the mouth with a velvety texture. The Sherry influence explodes on the palate, delivering a symphony of sweet and dry fruit flavors. Layers of dark cherry, stewed plums, and candied orange peel are balanced by a delightful savory nuttiness, reminiscent of pecans or walnuts. The 103.6 proof is beautifully integrated, providing a warming embrace without harshness. Oak spices emerge, offering notes of clove, allspice, and a gentle woody dryness that prevents it from becoming cloying. Hints of dark chocolate and espresso coffee bitterness provide depth.

Finish: The finish is exceptionally long and lingering, a testament to its age and cask type. It fades slowly with echoes of rich dried fruits and dark chocolate, transitioning into a pleasant, drying oak tannic grip. A subtle warmth persists, accompanied by notes of sweet pipe tobacco and a faint menthol freshness. The Sherry character remains prominent, leaving a lasting impression of sophisticated fruit and spice.

About the Distillery

BenRiach, founded in 1898 in the heart of Speyside, Scotland, is renowned for its diverse range of whiskies. This distillery is celebrated for its traditional floor maltings, allowing for both peated and unpeated expressions, and its innovative approach to cask maturation. Unlike many distilleries that focus on a singular style, BenRiach prides itself on producing a wide spectrum of flavors, often utilizing unique and exotic cask types, making their single cask releases highly sought after by connoisseurs.