BENRINNES 2003 AGED 14 YEARS ~ SPEYSIDE, SCOTLAND

700ml

89/100 Whisky Base

"This is a truly awesome whisky in every sense of the word 'awesome'. It is oily and mouth-coating with an intensity of flavour excellently conveyed through its high abv, furthermore, the competing flavours are balanced with precision against one another. This is a dram for fans of heavily sherried whisky or anyone who wants to explore the delights of sherry-cask ageing." Master of Malt.

A veritable picnic in a glass from Speyside's Benrinnes, bottled from a refill hogshead by stalwart indies Hunter Laing. Notes of oranges, vanilla sponge and red summer fruits sit side-by-side with wisps of herbs and smoked ham.

Nose - Tropical notes of mango mix with wax polish and red apple sweetness.

Mouth - Pears, honey and European oak character. A hint of basil, black pepper spice and dark chocolate. Citrus fruits appear with water.

Finish - Long and warming with ginger, lemongrass and a hint of marzipan.

Benrinnes Distillery was established by Peter Mackenzie in 1826 on the north-west shoulder of Ben Rinns Mountain. Following flooding in 1829 the distillery was re-built on a slightly different site in 1835 by John Innes. Only a small percentage of Benrinnes whiskey is released as official single malt but it is available in the Coopers Choice, First Editions and Carn Mor ranges. From 1956 until around 2010 distillation at followed a complex partial triple distillation process. Benrinnes Distillery is one of the few Scottish distilleries continuing to cool the spirit from its six stills in traditional worm tubs.