Review by: zSolaris
Distillery: Benrinnes
Bottler: SMWS
Region: Speyside
Age: 22 year. Distilled August 15, 1997.
ABV: 60.50% Cask Strength
Cask Type: Second-fill Barrel.
Price: Sample courtesy of /u/DangerousDoorknob
Color: Did not record color. Natural Color and Non-Chill Filtered
Nose: (according to the wife) “It doesn’t smell edible, in my opinion” were some of the first words out of her mouth. It smells rather bitter and of herbal medicine. A bit of wood varnish comes along as well as a ton of grass.
Palate: It’s quite drinkable at full strength. There’s not a whole lot going on though, just a lot of hay and grass. With some water, you get sugary malt along with a bit of nuttiness. A little bit of dried fruit and cinnamon also pops in which reminds me of sujeonggwa (수정과/Korean cinnamon punch).
Finish: Fairly long. There’s a lot of vegetal funk along with vanilla and cream. With some water, there’s some apple that comes out.
Conclusion: While the wife doesn’t think any whisky is edible, it’s rare for non-peated whiskies that she outright says that it smells inedible. The nose is chock full of herbal medicine and a ton of grass. The notes of vegetation continue all the way through, being the main notes popping up in the palate and in the finish as well. With a little bit of water, some fruitiness comes out in the form of dried fruits in the palate and some apple in the finish. The vegetal funk is a little much though, and it could use a little bit of toning down. Not my favorite Benrinnes, but decent enough. Would I buy a bottle? No.
Final Score: 76.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 