Benriach 1977 33 Years Old Asta Morris Cask:9119 45.7% 1977

Professional reviews

Words of Whisky (92)

WhiskyNotes:

Color Old gold

Nose
Fresh spring fruits (tangerine, pear, nectarine) sprinkled with lime and orange juice. A crisp and 'indigenous' fruitiness rather than the warm, exotic, marmalade-type fruitiness we've come to expect from 1975-1976 BenRiach. This one is more subtle, more interwoven with oak. There's also a layer of spearmint / eucalyptus notes which adds to the fresh appeal, as well as some flowery notes (orange blossom, honeysuckle) and hints of pollen. Soft ginger and vanilla notes. A true gentleman - a little reticent at first but complex and very refined.

Taste
Fresh with big fruity notes (yellow plum, kumquat, pink grapefruit, peach), again slightly "green" and definitely not cloying. There's a fine exotic fruitiness (banana, passion fruits) but it's in the background. Almond notes. Then the spices from the oak kick in (ginger, mint). Develops on fruit tea and heather honey. Citrus zest. Very smooth.

Finish
Long and clean, balancing between fresh fruits and soft oak.

Comments
Not just a benchmark for the 1977 vintage, but an exquisite BenRiach in general. Interesting how its profile is yet again different from both the 1975 and 1978 for Asta Morris.