BenRiach 10 Year Old 2005 Port Cask #6705 for Premium Spirits

Premium Spirits is the former Belgian importer of BenRiach. So it comes as no surprise that from time to time a cask is bottled for them. This port cask yielded 274 bottles at cask strength. The copper colored whisky has a lovely red sheen, undoubtedly from the port cask.

To be honest, the nose starts quite closed. It needs quite a bit of time and hand warmth to show its true colors. But that patience is well rewarded with lovely notes of red fruit, marzipan, baby fruit porridge, strawberries and raspberries. A hint of wet earth and a slight rubbery note are easily forgiven. There is also a milky touch that I cannot quite put the finger on. Lastly – and luckily all the way in the back – there is a note of bubblegum.

It could have done with a bit more body, I feel, but it certainly is piquant! Loads of cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper. What follows is red fruit with strawberries and cherries in the lead. Loads of earthy notes, that I quite like. But I would never have guessed this was BenRiach if I had tasted it blind. But that does not mean it is not good. Far from it.

The finish is very long, warm and spicy with a typical sweet note from the port cask.

Atypical BenRiach that misses some of the typical fruitiness, but interesting enough on its own, certainly in the finish in which the port cask really puts its foot down.

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