BenRiach is issuing its latest batch of single cask bottlings this week. Available worldwide, Batch 7 maintains BenRiach’s reputation for encapsulating both perfection and rarity in a glass.
The 1976, a classic Speyside
The new release celebrates the sixth anniversary of the first bottling of BenRiach under its new independent owners. Back in August 2004, its ‘Heart of Speyside’ core range of 12, 16 and 20 yo malts became available for the first time. Fast forward six years, and Master Distiller Billy Walker has selected ten highly distinctive casks from 1976 to 1993 for BenRiach aficionados.
These vintage malts are immense and full of character – from pineapple, coconut, honey, and spicy vanilla to treacle toffee, cloves and chocolate coated fruits. And the range of exceptional vintages is enhanced by their prolonged maturation in different casks – from a Virgin American Oak and a Gaja Barolo Finish to a Tokaji and a Peated Tawny Port Finish.
The ten, in ascending chronological order, are:
| Year |
Number |
Strenght |
Age |
Cask Type |
Style |
| 1976 |
8795 |
53.2% |
33yo |
Hogshead |
Classic Speyside |
| 1977 |
1033 |
52.2% |
33yo |
Pedro Ximinez Hogshead |
Pedro Ximenez Sherry Finish |
| 1978 |
4417 |
50.4% |
32yo |
Tokaji Hogshead |
Tokaji Finish |
| 1979 |
7511 |
47.9% |
30yo |
Bourbon Barrel |
Classic Speyside |
| 1980 |
2532 |
51.1% |
30yo |
New Wood Oak Barrel |
Virgin American Oak |
| 1981 |
2589 |
51.6% |
28yo |
Bourbon Barrel |
Classic Speyside |
| 1984 |
493 |
54.1% |
25yo |
Hogshead |
Classic Speyside |
| 1984 |
4052 |
51.7% |
25yo |
Tawny Port Hogshead |
Peated/Tawny Port Finish |
| 1991 |
4389 |
54.9% |
19yo |
Virgin Oak Hogshead |
Virgin American Oak Finish |
| 1993 |
7420 |
56.7% |
17yo |
Gaja Barolo Hogshead |
Gaja Barolo Finish |
Bottled in July 2010, the ten are all bottled at cask strength, with natural color and non chill-filtered. They are individually numbered by hand and presented in a gift tube.
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For Janis Joplin, it was all about the Southern Comfort. Born in 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas, she liked it neat, mixed with lime, or straight from the bottle, and often performed with a bottle of So-Co in hand. Janis took her musical cues from Blues legends, Bessie Smith and Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter, and her drinking cues from the Texan’s she grew up with. After [click to continue…]
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Two weeks ago a unique gathering took place at the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh when members of Clan supporters and whisky aficionados’ came together to celebrate the launch of The Dalmore Mackenzie.
Only 3,000 limited edition bottles of this highland single malt are being released to mark a new era in the distillery’s long affiliation with The Mackenzie Clan, and to help raise much needed funds for this famous Scots family.
The WhiskyGrotto has of course gotten our hands on a short video [click to continue…]
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If you’re into the re-born Glendronach distillery then you’ll indeed be delighted by the launch of a sublime new thirty-one year-old expression selected personally by Master Distiller Mr Billy Walker – the GlenDronach Grandeur.
Op top of the fact that this 31 year old beauty probably tastes like candy it comes in this boxy box.
Billy Walker’s tasting notes reveal the subtleties of the Glendronach Grandeur.
(ps. I had to edit the press release since I’m kinda tired of Suberb, Fantastic, Amazing, Wonderful, Tremendous and so on. Part from that it’s a nice read)
Nose - A concentration of fruits, nuts and berries enveloped in a coffee and mocha glaze. Subtle sweet sherry notes interact with sticky date pudding aromas.
Palate – Very big and gusty flavours adorn each mouthful, yet with balance and refinement. Initial spiced orange flavours and rich old Oloroso sherry are met mid-palate with roasted almonds, coffee and treacle. The dry concentrated flavours from the almonds and the oloroso sherry are balanced in harmony with sultanas, chocolate and honey.
Conclusions – This is a memorable and captivating GlenDronach expression for a very special occasion.
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“Our grandfather joined the firm within a year of its foundation and it is now owned by the third and fourth generations of his descendants. Each generation has passed on a lifetime’s experience in maturing malt whisky, guided by a simple principle: The future is shaped by what we do today, while today reveals what we did in the past”
Obviously there’s lots of tradition poured into this wonderful bottle of whisky produced by Gordon & MacPhail. I’d sure like to taste a glass!
Found through the excellent packaging blog The Dieline
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