BenRiach peated quarter casks

This is the new BenRiach Peated Quarter Casks, launched in June 2016, an expression distilled from peated malted barley and matured in tiny quarter casks.

These smaller casks (1/4th of a butt, around half a hogshead) encourage greater interaction between the spirit and the oak. Younger whisky, quicker maturation – a concept that has been used by Laphroaig for many years now.

BenRiach Peated Quarter Casks
(46%, OB 2016)

Nose: a slightly dry peatiness with lots of hay and ashy herbs rather than the medicinal Islay peat. A little gravel. Cereal notes. Underneath we find peaches and pears. A little cinnamon. Fine, simple, youngish but not immature.

Mouth: relatively mellow and light. There’s sweet peat, sweet lemon and pear, as well as some earthy / sooty notes and Provence herbs. Also hints of nectarine.

Finish: not too long, on sweet cereals, coffee and ashes.

Youngish fruits and dry, modest peat. Modern, which means it comes without flaws but it’s lacking a clear-cut identity. Perhaps too expensive for what it is: around € 60-75 depending where you look.

Score: 82/100