Connoisseurs Choice Benriach 1997 Bottled 2014

BenRiach 1997 Connoisseurs Choice Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Matured in Refill Sherry hogsheads bottled 2014 by Gordon & MacPhail for the Connoisseurs Choice series.

Nose: Subtle Sherry aromas, herbal with a delicate green bracken edge. Malt aromas, with a subtle hint of almond. Taste: Peppery, with a touch of cream toffees, some Brazil nut influences and hints of ripe red berries. Reminiscent of ice-cream soda.

John Duff duly established Benriach Distillery in 1898 just south of Elgin complete with a siding connecting it directly to the great North of Scotland Railway. But Benriach was forced to close in 1900 and remained closed until 1965 and whilst its traditional floor maltings continued to operate complete with the pagoda roof over the malt kiln it too finally closed in 1999. Having re-opened in 2004 the Benriach range is now extensive and features age expressions beginning with Benriach 10 years, 16 Year Old and vintage cask releases running back to the 1970s. The distillery is owned by Brown Forman of America.