BenRiach 15 year Madeira Wood Finish

This is my preferred distillery. While I own numerous bottles, their evolving and diverse releases over the past 15 years make collecting them all, even as samples, nearly impossible. Their current range includes seven distinct bottlings: two 10-year-olds, two 12-year-olds, a 21-year-old, a 25-year-old, and a 30-year-old. I anticipate future creations with enthusiasm. For now, I'm focused on obtaining remaining samples of their previous offerings. This particular bottling is part of their wood-finished line. I possess a bottle of the 15-year-old Tawny Port, which ranks among my favorite port whiskies ever. Therefore, I'm keen to discover the effect of Madeira wine on a whisky of the same age. The nose presents citrus and a sharp lemon note, bright, crisp caramel flakes atop red berries, and hard cookies. The aroma is fresh with only a hint of sweetness, the red wine influence being very subtle. The palate immediately delivers a distinctly dry red wine taste, gradually becoming slightly more oily and subtly sweet. The taste is very clear. It's intriguing but lacks depth. The finish is extended and rich, yet remains dry without being overwhelming. An enjoyable whisky, though perhaps slightly underwhelming. It would serve excellently as a component in a blended whisky. Its inclusion in some of their newer releases is a welcome confirmation of its value.