Benrinnes 15 Year Flora & Fauna

Nose: vanilla, with a hint of boiled vegetables, I would say cabbage (a scent I had never encountered before in a whiskey...). Then wet leather and a touch of chocolate. Palate: at least unique, it primarily reminds me of leather, which obviously I have never consumed but which you "taste" when, for example, you use your mouth to adjust a leather glove. paint. But don't misunderstand me, nothing unpleasant! Then vanilla, sweet honey, raisins. I would say a hint of sherry. Finish: perfect: medium length, balanced, sweet with honey and a hint of sherry here too. Complex whisky, I would say for now (2/5/2022) the best of the Flora & Fauna series along with Blair Athol, of which I think little or nothing is missing. 4.50 rating ___________________________________________________ Naso: vaniglia, con una punta di verdura bollita, direi verza (un aroma che non avevo mai sentito prima in un whisky…). Poi cuoio bagnato e punta di cioccolato. Palato: quantomeno particolare, principalmente mi ricorda il cuoio, che ovviamente non ho mai mangiato ma che “assapori” quando ad esempio ti aiuti con la bocca per mettere a posto un guanto di pelle. vernice. Ma non fraintendetemi, nulla di spiacevole! Poi vaniglia, miele dolce, uvetta. Direi una punta di sherry. Finale: perfetto: lunghezza media, equilibrato, dolce al miele e punta di sherry anche qui. Whisky complesso, direi per ora (5/2/2022) il migliore della serie Flora & Fauna, della quale mi manca credo poco o nulla. Voto 4,50

The dram has a potent nose of dark honey, cereal, a distinct leather created by oloroso cask finishing, bran muffins, raisin cookies, and Fig Newtons. Palate is semi-sweet, with hazelnuts, yeast extract, oranges, cinnamon, faint nutmeg which then dries into a medium finish with more of the leather and a bit of oak. The label mentions peat--there's none of that there. It is a part of a broader regional description and, upon investigating the flavor contained within, it seems more a branding error as there's not a trace of it--quite plausible given the rather disheveled appearance of the bottle. The sherry cask used was old and musty, about as much so as any sherry cask finishing in scotch can become. After contemplating the roof of my mouth for a few minutes, a slight meat taste emerges along with cocoa powder. The meat lingers and even becomes a bit like steak or Worcestershire sauce. It's not off putting at all; rather, it confirms the presence of well aged scotch aged in a very old used sherry cask.

The Spirit: The 15-year-old Benrinnes is a true hidden gem in Diageo's Flora & Fauna series. This masterfully crafted sherry cask malt from the Worm Tub distillery impresses with mature and complex aromas. The Casks: This Speyside whisky is aged entirely in a combination of different sherry casks. It's likely predominantly Oloroso sherry casks. Its Taste: The 15-year-old Benrinnes is full-bodied in the mouth, characterized by fruity and spicy aromas. In tasting, notes of tart red berries, sweet pears, and sharp grapefruit can be detected. Towards the finish, this whisky becomes more robust with aromas of tree bark, tar, and leather. The finish is tingly, with distinct oak, cinnamon, and a hint of charcoal.

To commemorate my 150th review, I'll be sampling three single malts I haven't tried before. These are the final three samples from the "Regions of Scotland" set I purchased. Representing Speyside is Benrinnes 15 yr Flora and Fauna. That's a peculiar name. Does it imply floral essences alongside notes of sheep? We shall see. Nose: Freshly baked bread, malt, and musty red apples. Palate: Oily and savory, with walnuts, a hint of smoke, and bitterness. Finish: Leather, wood, and dried apple skins. I can honestly say I've never had a Speyside quite like this. It emphasizes tannins more than fruit. It's good and complex, but I'm uncertain if I would purchase a bottle.

Aroma – Cinnamon, leather, nutmeg, red grapes, oranges, floral notes. Taste – Raisin cream pies with spice, cocoa powder, a hint of smoke, honey, white pepper. Finish – Dry, medium duration, well-rounded, reminiscent of oloroso. Adding Water – Aroma: More fruits and vanilla, marshmallow, more floral notes. Taste: Slightly mineral, less enjoyable. Finish: Short, dry, hazelnuts... I lament the lack of superior "craft" and artistry from Diageo here, but I feel that way about all the Flora and Fauna bottles, even the ones I find appealing, like this one.... The addition of coloring and chill filtering is so... outdated... The theme for this dram should be musically sweet yet spicy... "Lunar Sea" by Camel would be fitting.

Whisky aged 15-21 years is my preferred range; it's the age I tend to enjoy the most. This 15-year-old Benrinnes is superb in my opinion. I believe it delivers everything one might anticipate in a scotch. It possesses notes of smoke, peat, and sweetness that appear to be perfectly harmonized. This is a rich, flavorful spirit that is somewhat challenging to locate in the United States. If you have the opportunity to try or purchase a bottle, I would be surprised if you were let down.