Whisky Reviews: BenRiach Cask Edition Selections landed on my desk at 58.2% ABV), 700 ml bottle SRP $100, bottled in Sco, carrying a $100, bottled in Scotland price tag. Here is what I found.
Nose
This whisky starts with a clean moderate burn on the nose with peaty, smoky, earthy notes of vanilla, caramel, and raw pear. Its slightly grassy with a hint of sea salt. It starts with a moderate burn on the nose with a delicious aroma highlighted by notes of cut grass, bright citrus, cherry, and fruit jelly. It starts with a moderate nose burn with notes of cedar, cut grass, and cinnamon apple. Apple cinnamon, black pepper, and butterscotch flavors appear on the palate along with hints of lemon zest, sugared raisins, and spicy honey. Final Thoughts: This is a highly complex whisky with a thick texture thats initially silky and delicate upon first sip. It really coats the tongue and roof of the mouth for an exceptionally long finish with flavors of silky spicy honey, sugar coated raisins, and orchard fruit. The flavors are well balanced and intensify brilliantly on the palate after subsequent sips. Score: 5/5 Tasting Notes: BenRiach Marsala Cask 23 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Cask #10297 Vital Stats: Single malt aged in a Marsala Wine hogshead. 264 bottles available in AZ, CO, IL, DE, DC, FL, MD, NV, PA, SC, and WI; 110.8 proof (55.4% ABV), 700 ml bottle SRP $330. Appearance: Chestnut/Oloroso sherry Nose: It starts with a moderate burn on the nose with a delicious aroma highlighted by notes of cut grass, bright citrus, cherry, and fruit jelly. Palate: This whisky has a very complex flavor profile that includes notes of nectarine, butterscotch, and berries, with surprising hints of buttery coffee and fresh chocolate cake. The well rounded notes of apple and green pepper on the back end provide a scintillating burn that doesnt let go. Final Thoughts: This expression has a long finish thats full of well balanced flavors to discover. Richly aromatic with bright fruitiness, its not exactly a departure from the traditional flavor profile whisky lovers have come to expect from their Scotch. Instead, it cleverly captures the flavor potential of Scotlands centuries old beloved spirit. Score: 5/5 Tasting Notes: BenRiach Oloroso Puncheon Cask 24 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Cask #15058 Vital Stats: Peated single malt aged in an Oloroso puncheon. 641 bottles available in GA, MA, NY, and additional major metro markets; 110.8 proof (55.4% ABV), 700 ml bottle SRP $380. Appearance: Chestnut/Oloroso sherry Nose: It starts with a moderate nose burn with notes of cedar, cut grass, and cinnamon apple. Palate: The plate has a medicinal burn with notes of dried apple, black pepper, and dried leather. Final Thoughts: I found this whisky to be a bit dry, with a finish that has a lingering spiciness with medicinal notes and not much complexity of flavor. A few flavors I could detect included black pepper, dried apple, and dried leather. This straightforward spirit may be preferred by the more experienced Scotch enthusiast than those who are newer to it. Score: 3.5/5
Palate
Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.
The Bottom Line
Whisky Reviews: BenRiach Cask Edition Selections is fine — not bad, not great, just fine. At $100, bottled in Scotland, I think there are better options in this range if you are willing to look around.
