BenRiach Smoke Season, Double Cask Matured

ABV

52.8%

Region

Speyside

Bottling

Distillery

Cask type

1st Fill Ex-Bourbon and American Virgin Oak Casks

Nose

Sweet vanilla paired with campfire smoke on the nose. Accompanied by fruity notes of grilled apricots and peaches, together with honey and a little caramel.

Palate

Sweet and fruity on the palate, strong and spicy at the same time. Creamy vanilla with peach and stewed apples, plus honey, spicy oak, some cinnamon and subtle wood smoke.

Finish

The finish is medium long, sweetish, creamy and spicy with anise, pepper, a little BBQ notes and a touch of smoke.

With water

After the addition of a few drops of water, more fruity on the nose with oranges and grilled apricots, plus dense smoky notes and a hint of peat. Sweet and creamy on the palate, but less fruit and clearly more smoky notes, plus dry oak and cold ash. The finish is medium long, creamy sweet with vanilla and some yellow fruit. Becomes much drier with time with oak and a lot of smoky notes.

Comments

A fruity, creamy and slightly sweet BenRiach with an announced, distinct smoky note, which is, however, very well integrated and thus not at all obtrusive. The alcohol content of almost 53% abv fits perfectly and only gradually releases the multi-layered flavours. Nevertheless, adding water - at least from my point of view - is not necessary, as the then dry oak spiciness and too much smoke overpower the creamy sweet fruit notes.

I thank Destillerie Kammer-Kirsch GmbH for the complimentary sample and the photograph.