Review #: 506
Description: Benriach The Twenty One
Spirit: Scotch
Background: Building off of the other unpeated offerings, obviously the age has increased but now there are a total of 4 casks contributing to the blend. Virgin oak returns from the Ten, bourbon and sherry, and then red Bordeaux has been added.
Distillery – Benriach
Bottler – Benriach
Brand – Benriach
Selection – N/A
ABV – 46%
Age – 21 Years
Nose – Fruit and chocolate, dark grape, cooked apples, oak blends with the malt to make a dark and dry chocolate note, graham crackers
Taste – Honey, sweet malt, strawberry, green apple, chocolate, coconut
Finish – Gets a bit tannic, touch of sulfur (maybe from the Bordeaux), white pepper, it’s a bit light and short though
Score: 5
Would I buy a bottle? No. These run $150-$200 I believe and that’s too much for me
Thoughts: Fairly interesting and I’m happy they brought back the virgin oak to bring in some of that oak and chocolate. It just feels held back with the proof and then the sulfur is a bit of a negative for me. I find that note can be more forgivable with peat but here it just sticks out too much.