This BenRiach 1976 was one of several 1976’s bottled for Asia in 2011. Cask 3029 was selected by Shinanoya Tokyo and bottled in March of that year. One of the bottlings with many fans at Serge’s BenRiach 1976 single cask tasting. It came in second.
BenRiach 34 yo 1976 (42,1%, OB for Shinanoya Japan 2011, cask #3029, 139 btl.)
BenRiach 34 yo 1976 (42,1%, OB for Shinanoya Japan 2011, cask #3029, 139 btl.)Nose: probably the most direct and expressive nose of all the BenRiach 1976’s we’ve seen so far. Heaps of mango, juicy pear, passion fruit, pineapple and pink grapefruit. So easy to love, it’s just excellent! On top of all this fruit, it also shows nice oily notes and – quite unique – a distinct candied element. Say marshmallow or cotton candy. Very bright, very summery, this must be the best multi-vitamin fruit juice.
Mouth: this is were it falls slightly below its famous sister cask #3033 for Taiwan. It’s definitely less punchy and also less complex. It’s straightforward fruits (the usual tangerine, mango, pineapple, pink grapefruit combination), absolutely gorgeous but fruits are pretty much all you get. Maybe a light warmth of almonds or vanilla.
Finish: rather long, still nicely fruity and creamy, with just some light oak.
A close call with cask #3033 and a favourite for many people. Anyway this is a classic tropical fruit bomb – BenRiach magic of the highest level. Around € 250 at the time, now sold out.
Score: 93/100