We’re prepared for our weekly dose of heavy sherry with this BenRiach 2008 bottled by Cadenhead. It was bottled about a year ago in the mid-range cask strength Wood range.
Benriach-Glenlivet 11 yo 2008 (55,9%, Cadenhead’s 2020, first-fill Oloroso sherry hogshead, 270 btl.)
Nose: high octane sherry, with deep fruits like blackberries, juicy plums, raisins in rum and nice raspberry chocolate ganache. There’s also a light solventy note and graphite, leather and some intense wood. Whifss of dark roast coffee as well. A modern, punchy sherry bomb.
Mouth: again very, very intense sherry. The fruits fail to come forward now, it’s all on wood spice, tar, herbal liqueur, including the bitterness that comes with it. Walnuts and some flinty notes as well. A drop of water brings back some of the blackberries and hints of Black Forest gateau.
Finish: long and woody, with gingerbread, dark chocolate and leather.
Quite a monstrous sherry bomb, this must have been a highly toasted European oak hogshead, seasoned for maximum impact. It’s tasty and fairly clean but slightly over the top on the palate. Thanks for the sample, Guy.