Benrinnes

Benrinnes 15 Year Old Flora & Fauna Single Malt Whisky, 70cl

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A rich, sweet and smooth single malt whisky which sees Benrinnes’ fresh, green estery Speyside characteristics subsumed in its dark aromas. This nicely textured single malt is rich and luscious with meaty and savoury characteristics.

Serving Suggestion: Benrinnes works best served in a traditional whisky glass, neat or with a little water.

"A brief flash of caramel shortcake on the initial nose, soon becoming more peppery and leathery, with some sherry. Ultimately savoury and burnt rubber notes. Big-bodied, viscous, with gravy, dark chocolate and more pepper. A medium-length finish features mild smoke and lively spices."

Gavin D Smith, Malt Whisky Yearbook 2015, p.82

"Cucumber, water melon and some caramel on the nose, sherried and full palate with some figs and harsher notes. The finish is medium long and complex."

Dominic Roskrow, Malt Whisky Yearbook 2015, p.82

"...with a nose that is rich, beefy, and coppery with a hint of sulphur, clover honey, and barbecue sauce. The taste is strong and coppery with that same hint of sulphur, touches of pepper, honey, and grilled pineapples. The finish is long, dry, solid, and well-balanced with notes consistent with the taste."

whiskycast.com, May 2015

Appearance

Bright mahogany.

Body

Full-bodied, with a very smooth mouthfeel.

Nose

A rich nose, presenting an early impression of chocolate liqueurs - perhaps rum filled, although there is a light sherry-wood note as well. Light smokiness, and a dense floral note. 'Vintage car upholstery' describes it best. An evocative combination of old leather, oil, burnt rubber and exhaust fumes. With water, similar but fresher; polished wood, a piney note. Still a heavy nose. The vintage car leather scents persist when further reduced - at which a faint mustiness creeps in.

Palate

Richly sweet, full, rum-like, with a centre palate impact. In spite of the sweetness, not cloying.

Finish

Dries out slightly in the finish, where there is also a 'catch' which might be taken for peat-smoke. Medium length, leaving a faintly sherried aftertaste.