Grindlay’s bottled this 20 year single malt from the Benrinnes distillery after it was drawn from one cask (ex-bourbon probably) which was laid down in 1997.
Scotland Grindlay Ltd was founded in 2015 by George Grindlay. They have a blend called Dalriada and a series of single malts / single casks, but other than that little information is available, not even a company website.
Benrinnes 20 yo 1997 (56,4%, Grindlay’s Selection 2018, cask #895, 200 btl.)
Benrinnes 20 yo 1997 (56,4%, Grindlay’s Selection 2018, cask #895, 200 btl.)Nose: very fresh and aromatic, with fruit salad and a slightly floral edge. Oranges (and marmalade), peaches and melons. Bright lime. Hints of ice cream. A little honey and biscuits. Faint peppery notes and a light chalky note too.
Mouth: rich, spicier and again very fruity. Hints of homemade lemonade, melons, tinned pineapple, bananas and kumquats. Moves towards greener notes and waxy lemons. A slight leathery note and pepper.
Finish: medium, with fruit zest, pepper and a little more oak in general.
Nice whisky, summery and fun with a whole array of fruity notes. Maybe not totally unique but a nice first encounter with this independent bottler. Available from Master of Malt.
Score: 87/100