BenRiach 22 Year Old 1990 Tawny Port Finish

This BenRiach 1990 was launched last year in Batch 9 of their yearly single cask releases. It matured on a port pipe, which explains the wonderful amber hue.

The nose transports me back to my summer holiday in the Calvados region. The nose is packed with apples and pear, just like I experienced on the Calvados Domfrontais (which, in the case of the Calvados, is quite logical, I know). Loads of nuts, too. Evolves towards warm apple pie. Then some red fruit like cranberries and hints of raspberries. Pretty creamy. But do not leave it too long to breath, for that allows the wine to shine through too strongly, turning it a little sourish.

It is spicy and mildly drying on the palate. But immediately somewhat sour, I am afraid. The port cask seems to have been a little overenthusiastic. It shows hints of liqueur and smoke. I am almost convinced they used peaty malt for this one. Not bad, but it cannot fulfill the promise of the nose.

The finish is long and spicy with a drying bitterness.

Good nose, but on the palate it is a bit of a mess. Thanks, Jeroen!

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