BenRiach and Glendronach are known for their experimentation and sherry finishes, respectively. Both owned by the BenRiach Distillery Company, their warehouses are filled with hidden gems just waiting to be explored. This month, we’re going to open some Glendronachs from their 9th and 12th batches, and some interesting Benriachs, including a 34 year old 1977 Rioja finish from my personal collection! Here’s 5 of the 6 scotches being presented for the evening.
BenRiach 1996 KWM Cask 189
The Kensington Wine Market takes great pride in selecting single casks to be bottled for their store, and this one is no exception. Their 5th exclusive cask of BenRiach was distilled in 1996 and bottled this year at 54.8% after 19 years in a Bourbon Barrel. Only 189 bottles exclusively available from KWM! Andrew’s tasting notes are,
Nose: Creamy, toasty and very honeyed with bright citrus notes of lemon and orange; marzipan and melons, hot spices and barley sugars; thick and oily, yet maintains its delicate nuances.
Palate: Bright citrus notes burst on the tongue with melons, creamed honey, toasted oak and wildflowers on a hot spring day; the decadence of the barley and oak is still there with the heat of hot spices: white pepper, cinnamon hearts and candied ginger.
Finish: long, juicy and coating with more creamy, coating sugars, spices and citrus fruits.
BenRiach 1977 Cask 2588
I went through a phase where I was trying many different wine finishes and never made it around to this one. This is a 34 year old, 1977 vintage whisky from BenRiach’s impressive official range of single casks. It was finished in barrels which previously contained Rioja wine, and the result is an extraordinary mix of rich, biscuity Speyside whisky and spicy, fruity red wine, according to the distiller. You never know really know with wine finishes, but I’m optimistic this will be a wonderful, if not interesting experience. I hope you enjoy it!
Glendronach 2002 KWM Cask 708
KWM’s third exclusive cask of Glendronach is an 11 year old PX Sherry Puncheon matured malt. 11 years of age and bottled at a natural cask strength of 55.4%. Andrew’s notes are,
Nose: Chocolate espresso beans, maple syrup and rum raisin bread pudding; earthy oak, new leather jacket and burnt dark fruits.
Palate: Big, fruity, spicy and chocolaty with more espresso and loads of dark fruit; the dark spices, tobacco and leather come out with earthy oak notes in waves;
treacle sauce, licorice and honey soaked dates.
Finish: Smooth, rich and layered; Comment: this is a sherry bomb that lays off the throttle at just the right moment!”
Glendronach 1991 Cask 5405 Batch 9
A couple times a year, the Glendronach distillery, the reigning King of sherry cask whisky, releases a series of single cask vintage bottlings. This 1991 vintage is from Batch 9, cask no. 5405. Batch 9 of GlenDronach’s single cask bottlings has yielded a whole host of honourable expressions, including this 21 year old single malt, distilled in 1991 and matured in Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon number 5405. Only 702 bottles were produced.
If you’re interested in ever attending one of these releases, visit the Kensington Wine Market’s tasting schedule for upcoming tastings. Glendronach batch releases are usually in January and July, and usually cinsists of 8 or 9 bottles ranging from 10 to 40 years! They’re are superb!
Glendronach 1994 Cask 3273 Batch 12
This 20 year old single malt from the fantastic GlenDronach distillery, was released as part of their 12th batch of single cask bottlings, just this past January. This well-Sherried whisky was aged in a single Pedro Ximénez Sherry puncheon from September 1994 to August 2015. It was then bottled at cask strength, a generous 53.3% ABV, with an outturn of 680 bottles.!