BenRiach 32 Year Old 1979 Asta Morris

The newest Asta Morris bottling is a 32 Year Old BenRiach from 1979, which was recently presented at a tasting that I attended. Due to a heavy cold, all I could do was put it in a sample and take it home with me. Today, I put it H2H with the 34 Year Old from 1977, which was released only a few months prior.

The nose is a lot more complex than the 1977, yet less sweet. Very waxy on grapefruit, lychees, pineapple, gooseberry, accompanied by dried grass and heather. Vanilla, honeydew, ginger and a hint of peat. Add some almonds to the mix. And a bit of herbal tea. After a few minutes, I even get a whole bar of milk chocolate. This is wonderful!

It is very creamy and fruity on the palate, with lychees and melon at the fore, grapefruit and berries in hot pursuit. The herbal tea is very prominent now, along with loads of citrus. Turkish delight? Nicely spiced, too. Warming. Nice balance with the soft oak.

The medium length finish, on citrus, ends on a bittersweet note.

Again a great cask selection by Mr Bruyneel, but this one does not do better than the 1977. So, we have had BenRiach bottled by Bert from 1975 to 1979. What is next, Bert? The Eighties? Bring it on!

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