Benriach The Original Ten

Rating: 14/23 I previously found the old BenRiach 10 to be pretty average. I'm curious if this expression feels like an improvement, a downgrade, or just a name change. Nose: It has a pleasant aroma. It's sweet with a subtle waxy wood note that provides body without being overpowering. Hints of fruit are present but not dominant - tangerine, orange, cherry, currant. The fruit adds a welcome sweetness that complements the restrained maltiness. There's a nice light toasted grain character in the background. The profile is very traditional for scotch, but it possesses good complexity and perfect balance. Palate: This has a nice fullness as the malt comes through. Spices like ginger and a touch of white pepper appear right away. The clear malt flavor and slight sharpness suggest it's quite young, but it's not problematic. The malt flavor is well-executed, showcasing the grain's character effectively. There's a mild vegetal note, but it's not excessive. I detect some waxiness, but not much barrel influence. Unfortunately, fruit is scarce here, with only an occasional hint of tangerine. Some vanilla from the barrel emerges, and a dry (lightly toasted?) grain mixes well with the mild wood flavor. After tasting this for a bit - not a long while, as I only have 50ml - I realized the vanilla and fresh wood combination reminds me of Pure Scot Virgin Oak. I suspect some virgin French oak was used, and indeed, it was aged to some extent in virgin oak. Finish: The rich malt remains, and the sweetness fades without becoming bitter. It's not a highly complex finish, but it's solid. Oh, there is a slight alcohol burn when exhaling on the finish, which isn't ideal. - Conclusion - This is certainly superior to Compass Box Artist's Blend (13/23) and thus also better than BenRiach 10 (12/23). I do wish it had more fruit, but it's quite good as is. The Compass Box has more fruit and vanilla, but also a significantly harsher alcohol presence. I wouldn't rate this much higher than it. Glen Grant 18 (18/23) is oilier and fruitier. It presents a different profile, so personal preference plays a role, but it's also considerably more complex and less youthful. While the Glen Grant isn't blowing this away, it is substantially better. I don't think I can rate this above a 16. Unfortunately, I don't have many similar drams in the 14 to 16 range. Old Pulteney 12 (14/23) seems a bit less clear than this, so I'd prefer this one, though not by a wide margin. There's enough alcohol on the finish that I don't believe I can rate it higher than a 15. Knappogue Castle 12 (15/23), while different in flavor, shares a similar approach of excelling in a single flavor profile. I'm partial to the Knappogue Castle's rich sweetness, but it's not a clear victory. So, this is either a 14 or 15. After some deliberation, I've decided the alcohol on the finish is a bit too prominent, leading me to settle on a 14.

Aroma - apple juice, pear, honey, cereal grain, sulphur, orange zest, apricot, caramel, vanilla, wet grass, allspice, light oak, mild to moderate ethanol burn. Taste - apple juice, honey, ginger, pear, apricot, brine, cereal grain, butterscotch, vanilla, lemon pith, orange zest, grass, mint, cinnamon, mild to moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium short with honeyed fruit, ginger, and citrus flavors. I am now exploring unpeated expressions from this distillery, beginning with this new entry-level product, The Original Ten. Notably, it's the sole new release bottled at 43% ABV, while others are at 46%. The nose does not inspire confidence. If I were unaware, I might mistake this for a mid-tier blended malt due to its common apple juice character. Pleasant honeyed fruits emerge, but a subtle, unpleasant meaty sulphur note is present. While not a complete dealbreaker, it's noticeable and undesirable. Thankfully, the palate improves the overall impression. The sulphuric quality is subdued, with more emphasis on citrusy, fruity, and gingery notes. The mouthfeel is thin, and the finish is disappointing. This expression is only slightly above average for me. It tastes young, somewhat sour, and a little bitter. Given its price point of nearly $70 in my area, it offers poor value. The Twelve is next. I hope it shows an improvement comparable to what was observed with The Smoky Twelve.

I'm writing this from quarantine in London, where I arrived a couple of days ago to visit family. Despite everyone on my flight having to get a rapid covid test at Newark airport before boarding, the rules require that I isolate myself for 14 days with only online grocery orders and a collection of tasting packs from the Whisky Show to keep me company. Okay, the whisky isn't strictly part of the rules, but there's only so much time I can fill with work, TV, books, and video games. First up are the new Benriachs: the 10- and the 12-year-old and their Smokey versions. There are more than a couple of years and a dose of peat to distinguish these four bottles, which replace similar ones in the core range. Each also features a different combination of barrels from the wide selection that blender Rachel Barrie has available in the Benriach warehouses. The Original 10, to use the new version's full name, includes bourbon, sherry, and virgin oak casks and has a touch of peat, so it's more than just a rebranding of the previous version, which used bourbon, sherry, and no peat. It's a fruity dram, with crisp green apples and a hint of honey on the nose. The palate has green apples and lemon juice while the medium-length finish leans towards lemon rind, with a touch of oak spice and smoke. A very pleasant whisky and my second favorite of the four.

(WoodWinters BenRiach Online Zoom tasting, November 4, 2020) Nose: Sweet/syrupy, honey, pears, melon, vanilla, orchard fruits with a floral touch. Palate: Spicy (ginger & cinnamon), fresh and crisp apple, baked goods (pastries), sweet orchard fruits. Finish: A hint of sourness, roasted seeds, vanilla, a slight tang at the very end. Utilizes a variety of full maturation in bourbon, virgin American oak, and Oloroso sherry casks. Overall, this is a very consistent, easy-drinking whisky. I was impressed during the tasting by how readily one could identify Benriach's house style. All core range expressions, including the CS versions, are characterized by prominent orchard fruit and well-integrated vanilla.

Smell: Ripe Pears, Malt, Honey, Sugar Cookie, Nutmeg, Vanilla, Light Oak, light pineapple. Taste: Honey Suckle, Malt, Vanilla, Stewed Apples, White Pepper, Oak Tannins, Sweet Nuttiness, Mildly Astringent Finish. A delightful Speyside malt that captures the sweet fruitiness expected from the region, while also highlighting the distinct malty character of the distillery. It begins with a pronounced sweetness of Honey, White Fruits, and Malt, which shifts to the mid-palate, full of pepper and a mild nutty sweetness. The whisky ends with a hint of sweet nuts and honey. An excellent whisky for anyone at any stage of their whisky journey. Bottled at 43% abv and likely chill filtered, it still possesses character and is surprisingly complex.

An elegant Single Malt Scotch from Speyside, Scotland, created by master blender Dr. Rachel Barrie for Benriach Distillery. It was matured for a minimum of 10 years across three cask types: bourbon barrels, sherry casks, and virgin oak, then bottled at 43% ABV. The aroma presents nectarine, honeydew melon, cedar, vanilla sponge with cream & jam. The rich & complex palate offers croissants dipped in milky coffee, cinnamon rolls, creamy orchard fruits & earthy peat. The finish is balanced and medium in length, featuring toasted oak, nutty malt, vanilla bean, apricot & peat smoke. January 2023