BENRIACH LAUNCHES TWO EXTRAORDINARY WOOD FINISHES
WHISKY connoisseurs will be spoilt for choice today (18 August 2016) as BenRiach releases two superb whiskies; a new 17YO Pedro Ximenez Sherry Wood Finish and a fantastic 21YO Tawny Port Wood Finish.
The first BenRiach jewel is a new 17YO Pedro Ximenez Sherry Wood Finish. Sticky, sweet, spicy and tasting of dark chocolate and coffee beans, it has been matured in the traditional style in American bourbon barrels and replaces the renowned 15YO expression. This creamy, fruity whisky, at 46% abv, has been finished in Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks sourced from the bodegas of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalucia, Southern Spain.
BenRiach has long championed the use of Pedro Ximenez casks in which to finish its award-winning whisky. Maturation in these flavourful casks gives the whisky extra sherry sweetness and richness, darkens the spirit and adds notes of syrupy dried fruits, raisins and molasses on the palate.
Colour
Gleaming polished mahogany.
Nose
Creamy spices, chocolate and sugar-coated almonds flow over sweet sultanas and dark fruit cake.
Taste
Dark chocolate and freshly ground coffee beans merge with sweet dates and fresh figs. Delightful, peppery vintage oak and warm cigar box spices add to the long, contrasting finish.
Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “The 15YO took silver at the 2014 International Wine and Spirits Competition and I believe our new 17YO is destined to do even better.
“It’s a fantastic combination of oak, fruit, spice and sherry, with the sensational Pedro Ximenez influence lending this BenRiach a luscious dark chocolate flavour. It’s a liquid fruit bomb that’s full of sweetness.”
Next up is a superb 21YO Tawny Port Wood Finish. Tasting of fresh cranberries, orange peel and boiled candy, it is bottled at 46% vol and replaces the 15YO Tawny Port finish.
This remarkable 21YO was first matured in the traditional style in American bourbon barrels and then finished in a small batch of top-quality Tawny Port casks sourced from the Douro region in the north of Portugal.
During this second period of maturation, the slow interaction of the whisky with the Port cask results in sublime flavours and aromas – in particular, a distinctive and rich red fruit taste.
Colour
Rich amber with a copper glow.
Nose
A perfect balance of fresh cranberries and warm white pepper develops to a combination of tart raspberries and boiled candy.
Taste
Delicious toasted oak spices and hints of orange peel develop to a lively contrast of wild red berry compote and sour cherries, followed by a rich stewed barley character.
Sales Director Alistair Walker said: “We launched our critically-acclaimed range of wood finishes ten years ago and since then the response worldwide has been consistently excellent.
“At BenRiach we’ve carefully selected whisky that has been gently maturing in bourbon casks so that drinkers experience the full impact of the Tawny Port cask after it has been finished.
“It’s a phenomenal Speyside Single Malt with a tawny, fruity heart. A slight earthiness from the port is balanced with contrasting rich fruit characters and warm oak spices.