BenRiach 37 Year Old 1968 Duncan Taylor Rare Auld

Whisky from before I was born has a magical attraction which I just cannot resist, when I get the chance to try a sample. This BenRiach was distilled in 1968. The refill sherry cask was filled in 2006 already, by Duncan Taylor in their Rare Auld series.

Take cover! A grand fruit bomb is dropped on the nose. Delicously tropical, meaning (in no particular order): green banana, mango, papaya, kiwi, passion fruit, apricots and loads more, but you get the picture. Soft on the spices, but with a wonderful trace of woodsmoke. I could smell this forever.

(ten minutes later)

Wonderfully creamy and sweet on the palate. Soft spices. Perfect continuation of the nose. Great strength too. Powerful enough yet not in need of water. Basically perfect.

The finish is long, spicy and sweet (doh!), with a small but succinct grapefruit-like bitterness at the death.

This kind of whisky is the raison d’être for many aficionados, yours truly included.

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