Benrinnes 2002 11 Year Hepburn's Choice (Hunter Laing)

Rating: 10/23 I haven't tried a [Distillery Name] or a [Brand Name] before. This sample might offer insight into both or neither. Given its 11-year age, I anticipate some ethanol and immaturity, but I hope for a clean and generally pleasant flavor. Nose: Initially subtle, with a hint of damp wood. After swirling and letting it sit, I detected fruit (tangerine and a bit of supermarket orange juice) with a light grain undertone. It leans slightly floral. There's also a mild, musty richness, reminiscent of youthful alcohol's potency, but somehow integrated with the grain. I find the aroma to be good. There's no alcohol bite. It's an inoffensive, smooth drink that I suspect will be both reasonably enjoyable and somewhat unremarkable. Palate: Starts smooth with a moderately thick texture, presenting sweet tangerine and peach that blend seamlessly into malty richness, with a touch of dry grain. It creates a satisfying, rounded sweetness that is very accessible and mildly intriguing. Then, a spiciness emerges, adding character before escalating into a more intense burn with some unfortunate harshness. I taste slightly off-putting alcohol mixed with the spice. It's not quite industrial, meaty, or sulphuric, just a bit like a dirty still. I wish I could pinpoint the spice type, but it's quite generic, perhaps slightly peppery or even a faint chili note. At times, mellow wood and occasional vanilla appear. I'm now getting hints of supermarket orange juice and a trace of buckwheat nuttiness in the malt. While not the most cohesive or balanced palate, it has some complexity. There are good flavors present, making the spicy harshness unfortunate. Finish: Lingering peach and tangerine notes with hints of supermarket orange juice and sweet malt. A trace of that spicy burn also persists. - Conclusion - I want to enjoy this, but the burn is quite unacceptable. Comparing it to another youthful spirit, I tried my bottle of [Brand Name] ([Rating]/23). They seem quite similar in quality, though I would slightly favor this one. The [Brand Name] tastes more strongly of alcohol, but this has a significant burn. Without those issues, both would receive higher ratings. To gauge the burn's intensity, I tried [Brand Name] ([Rating]/23). I'd probably say that [Brand Name] has better flavor, but it certainly burns more. This spirit occupies a middle ground between the [Brand Name] and the [Brand Name], with moderate burn, decent flavor, and average ethanol presence. I wish I could call it ideal, but it really isn't. Ultimately, despite the surprising burn, this spirit is closer to the [Brand Name] than the [Brand Name], so it receives a 10.