Review #: 505
Description: Benriach The Smoky Twelve
Spirit: Scotch
Background: Benriach decided to do two different peated releases for their core, this one being the 12 year release. The smoky twelve shares ex-bourbon and sherry casks, but instead of port, it also has Marsala wine.
Distillery – Benriach
Bottler – Benriach
Brand – Benriach
Selection – N/A
ABV – 46%
Age – 12 Years
Nose – White grape, vanilla cake, lemon icing, grapefruit, smoke is quite subtle
Taste – Sweet vanilla cream, buttered pastry, almost grassy, has this restrained sweetness to it
Finish – Still has vanilla and cream but smoke comes in with a bit of pepper and bitterness with some sulfur but it isn’t unpleasant or overpowering, some baking chocolate in there
Score: 4
Would I buy a bottle? No
Thoughts: Where the 10 was a bit more brash, this switches to a bit more delicate and subtle with the smoke. It’s tasty and fine, but I think it loses a level of complexity. I really think that the virgin oak does a lot for their distillate, at least for my palate.