Review: BenRiach 10 Years Old and Curiositas 10 Years Old (2018)
Review: BenRiach 10 Years Old and Curiositas 10 Years Old (2018)
In 2016, Speyside-based BenRiach was acquired by Brown-Forman, making it one of just a handful of Scotch distilleries owned by an American concern. Built in 1898, closed in 1900, and reopened in 1965, it’s a worhorse of a distillery that doesn’t get as much credit as it should.
Today we look at a couple of representative releases from BenRiach as of 2018 (we’ve seen them previously in 2008 and in 2014). Thoughts follow.
BenRiach 10 Years Old – This is currently the youngest release with an age statement in the Flagship range, which blends stock from bourbon and sherry casks. At such a young age, a whisky really shouldn’t be this fully-formed, but somehow BenRiach 10 shows off a depth of character you’d expect more from a 15 year old spirit. The nose is a delight of youngish malt, baking spice, and some sultana notes. That may sound very plain, but the palate is where this malt blows up. Boldly fruity, it kicks off with pear notes and some citrus before venturing toward chewy nougat and mashed banana, with notes of brown sugar and just a bit of cinnamon. The finish sees the sherry character the most clearly, a punchy bit of orange zest to give this quality whisky just the right amount of zip. 86 proof. A- / $50 [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS]
BenRiach Curiositas 10 Years Old (2018) – A heavily peated expression of BenRiach (a rarity in Speyside), 10 years old, with no wood treatment specified. A boldly smoky whisky that could easily be mistaken for Islay, Curiositas takes the sweet, fruity core of the Flagship 10 and runs it through the peat machine. The nose is brimstone and baking spice, some apple notes and perhaps a touch of citrus peeking through it all. At first blush it’s overwhelming with peat on the palate, but in time that indomitable fruit core pushes its way through to reveal notes of apple, banana, marzipan, and dusky cloves. The finish is a bit ashy, but the surfeit of fruit makes it surprisingly seductive. 92 proof. B+ / $53 [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS]
BenRiach Curiositas 10 Years Old (2018)
$53
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Good day sir,I a bottle of Benriach with data in the bottle 2011 August time 23 hours at the bottom of the bottle 09 Benriach 2415 please sir I just want to know if this is an original one thanks