BenRiach Sherry Cask 56.1% 1998–2015

Experience the rare elegance of BenRiach's 2015 Single Cask release, a breathtaking 16-year-old masterpiece matured in a Pedro Ximénez Sherry Butt. This limited edition offers an exquisite symphony of stewed fruits, golden honey, dark chocolate, and spirited ginger, bottled at cask strength with natural color and non-chill filtered to preserve its pristine character.

Tasting Notes

Nose: A profound and inviting bouquet immediately reveals the rich Sherry influence. Dominant notes of dark, stewed orchard fruits – think spiced plums, baked apples, and figs – are interwoven with a luxurious sweetness of golden honey. There's a subtle undertone of dark chocolate and a vibrant, almost spicy lift from glacé ginger, hinting at the complexity to come. A trace of old leather or polished oak speaks to its age.

Palate: The palate is a magnificent evolution from the nose, presenting a robust and incredibly smooth character due to its cask strength and triple distillation. The stewed orchard fruits burst forth, now with a thicker, jammy consistency, perfectly balanced by the warm, treacly sweetness of golden honey. The dark chocolate note deepens, transitioning to a more bittersweet cocoa. The glacé ginger becomes more prominent, offering a delightful warmth and a subtle, tingling spice that prevents the sweetness from becoming cloying. Underlying hints of toasted nuts, dried fruit, and a whisper of tobacco leaf add further layers of complexity from the Pedro Ximénez Sherry Butt.

Finish: Long, luxurious, and exceedingly satisfying. The fruit and honey linger beautifully, slowly fading into a warm, comforting embrace of bittersweet chocolate and a persistent, gentle wave of warming ginger. A dry, oaky counterpoint surfaces at the very end, leaving a clean, yet rich, aftertaste that encourages another sip. The triple distillation ensures a smooth departure, even at cask strength.

About the Distillery

The BenRiach Distillery, nestled in the heart of Speyside, Scotland, is renowned for its innovative approach to whisky making, producing both peated and unpeated expressions, often matured in diverse cask types. Under the guidance of master blenders, BenRiach has gained a reputation for crafting whiskies of exceptional depth and character.