BenRiach 10 Year Old 2008 Asta Morris

It is public knowledge that Bert Bruyneel has a fondness for BenRiach. For the longest time, he was a well-known collector of this Speysider. In the early days of his company Asta Morris, he even released a couple of official BenRiach ‘selected by Asta Morris’, thanks to his personal friendship with then-owner Billy Walker. But it has been quite a while now since Bert released another BenRiach. 2013 to be precise (with that lovely Andy Warhol-esque label, remember?). So here he is at last with a BenRiach 2008, which he finished on his previously bottled Foursquare rum cask, cut to 52%. Enjoy!

Dark and sweet, very fruity nose on strawberries, Seville oranges and unripe banana. Hint of peach. A touch of oak with some spices. Sniffing tobacco. Cinnamon. A bit drying on the nose, but very inviting.

Lovely, sweet arrival on the palate. Immediately honey-sweet and I must say that it has indeed taken on many traits from the rum. Very sweet, spicy, round and fruity, but dominating rum notes. You would be forgiving for mistaking this for a rum when tasted blind. Nevertheless, it is lovely indeed. Maybe just a tad too drying towards the end.

In the medium long, spicy and drying finish, a lovely uppercut of red fruit is delivered at the end.

A BenRumach, if you ask me. But if you love both BenRiach and rum, that this malt is for you. Just under 70 EUR.

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