Benriach 25 Years Old 2006 50% NV

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (84)

BenRiach keeps launching new expressions just like Bruichladdich does and even if that can be slightly irritating sometimes, it’s usually for the better so let’s not complain and taste this new 25yo that’s been only partly finished (again a new idea!) as it combines whisky matured in new oak and whisky finished in sherry butts. A winewoodsky, in other words… Hey, why not! Colour: gold.Nose: a rather expressive and unusual start on wood and menthol. Quite some peat as well, of the farmy kind, lots of liquorice, cider apple… Gets then sort of mustardy (horseradish as well?) and then rather animal (cow stable, manure). Rather oaky, dry and not easy-easy at all even if there’s a little candy sugar. Mouth: sweeter now, punchy but also slightly bitter, still quite green and herbal. Touches of salt and vanilla crème but also lots of strong tea, liquorice stick, dried herbs… Gets spicier with quite some green curry, pepper, also chlorophyll chewing-gum, walnut skin… Again a bit hard and bitterish, even if the rather long finish displays a little sweetness now (sultanas, cappuccino, Irish coffee). A certain acridness and dryness in this one, certainly not an easy going vatting.

BOW (88.50)

This is an old vintage bottle and the closure may have deteriorated. When opening care should be taken. The item is sold as described.