At the time when this was bottled, most of the whisky that was used for the BenRiach 16 Years was significantly older, due to erratic production in some years. Around 80% was 18 years old BenRiach and the other 20% were second and third fill casks of 20 years old.
I’m not sure how this situation has evolved in the meantime, I haven’t tried more recent versions. In any case it also contains some peated BenRiach.
BenRiach 16 yo (43%, OB 2008)
Nose: light, with the same elements as the younger versions. Rather grainy, with notes of dark bread and toast. Less fruity. Instead more nutty notes and grasses. Some honey.
Mouth: quite a nice, spicy start. There’s some very light peat smoke, but hardly recognizable and well integrated. Toffee and apples. Some peach.
Finish: quite herbal now, with clear oak influence. Vanilla with a hint of green banana.
Pleasant and gentle but lacking some punch, like the rest of the base expressions. A pretty harmless Speyside profile for an interesting price. Around € 40.
Score: 80/100