BenRiach Birnie Moss Intensely Peated

My work has been incredibly demanding for the past three weeks, averaging 64 hours a week spent at my computer or dealing with the heavy rain here in the mid-Atlantic US. I've only had a drink or two in the last couple of weeks and haven't felt much like reviewing anything. I did finish the last of this bottle of "intensely peated" BenRiach, named Birnie Moss. It's a non-USA release, NAS, bottled at 48% ABV. It has a light gold color, is very oily, and leaves numerous thin legs in the glass. The nose has notes of salty shoreline, harsh oak barrels, and surprisingly, butter. There's a decent level of smoke, especially for a BenRiach. The palate mirrors this: strong saltiness, Lagavulin-like BBQ meats, and smoke. The overall mouthfeel is weak, particularly for a 48% ABV spirit. It also lacks depth. I don't detect any sweetness or barrel character on the tongue, which I believe strongly indicates the youthful spirit used. The finish is medium length, with those same BBQ meat notes lingering alongside a warming, light smoke. There isn't much character, but perhaps that's the intention. This is the type of malt that gets put into various wine casks for extended aging to become something magnificent. This represents BenRiach's idea of an "intensely peated" malt, so it feels more like a preview than a premium offering. Overall, the lack of depth and youthful character don't justify a separate, special bottling. This spirit really needs to be placed in a finishing cask to develop into something greater. As it stands, it's a 2.5-star at best. I believe I paid less than $50 for this bottle, which is a good value, but I don't feel the need to buy it again. Cheers.

On the nose, it's really peaty but lightly, herbaceous; very nice. On the palate, the peat hits hard, dry and herbaceous, but with some roundness afterward. The finish lingers in the mouth, very mineral and with a hint of hay.

This is one of the premier peat/smoke whiskies I've encountered. Anyone who enjoys Laphroaig and Ardbeg will find this highly agreeable. I find the common ratings to be quite surprising. Regardless, it means there's more available for me, haha.

Smoky peat, but not very smoky. Lacks dryness, has oak and vanilla. The aroma suggests sweetness, but the taste is less so, even a bit bitter. It needs time to develop. Nose: 4, Palate: 3.5

Although the Curiositas is tastier and similar, this is still respectable. But if you have a choice in flavor, always go with the C.

A pleasantly smoky aroma. A very agreeable peat aftertaste. A slight alcohol taste at the end. Very good, well-balanced.