This BenRiach 2005 is an 8 year-old – the youngest in the 10th batch of single cask releases presented in July 2013. It’s a slightly odd one, being a peated expression finished in a virgin American oak cask.
BenRiach 8 yo 2005
(58,1%, OB 2013, virgin American oak hogshead #3782, 310 btl.)
BenRiach 8 yo 2005Nose: sharp, youngish peat (Kilchoman style), with plenty of burnt heather. Underneath is a bubble gum sweetness and some lacquered barbecue meat. Pepper and cinnamon. Also a slight pungency of jalapeño sauce and lemon. Water highlights the (drier) heather smoke.
Mouth: hot – very peaty and very peppery. Not much more actually, although a vague apple sweetness appears towards the end. Water shows a little vanilla, but still hardly any fruits.
Finish: very long, peaty and peppery.
This is straightforward peat and pepper juice. A fierce dram with little to offer – not sure why BenRiach insists on making this kind of style. Around € 60.
Score: 79/100