BenRiach 1975 33 Year Old Peated Port Cask 4450

The peated spirit was put to sleep for more than thirty years on American oak (ex-bourbon) and then transferred to a Tawny Port Pipe for a finish of 12 monhs.

It’s the porto that makes the nose burst with red fruit (raspberry, strawberry, even grenadine syrup), that kinda masks the peat. Caramel and vanilla play along, opposite mild smoke and olives.

Despite the slightly higher ABV, the attack is less peppery than anticipated. It’s mostly sweet and floral. This is rosehip tea infused with dark fruit, oak, banana and some citrus fruit. There is a tad of honey and pepper. But the dram is somewhat… winey, which makes it slightly tannic.

The finish is dry and lingering.

I’m not sure Tawny Port was such a good choice. I was quite fond of the other wood finishes (Moscatel, Gaja Barolo, Oloroso sherry, …), but this leaves me in two minds. Maybe it’s just not my thing.

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