BenRiach 9 Year Old 2008 Single Cask Batch 15

For years, BenRiach launched a so-called 'Batch' of single cask bottlings every year. In 2018 they were already at their 15th batch and this 9-year-old appeared in it. It is a peated spirit that has matured on a port pipe for just under ten years. The alcohol percentage proves that the angels are not always greedy.

Yup: port and peat. The nose is bursting with red fruit and a delicious Serrano ham. Sweet, umami and salty at the same time. In addition, something metallic and something of pipe tobacco and a strange touch that I have to get used to. I can't describe it any other way than plants around a stagnant puddle in full sun. Penetrant, honestly. But... it does work. A teaspoon of water makes that strange smell give way to a lot of sweetness, which I find a lot more pleasant in this case.

Hey! That's a kick to the teeth! I feel this sip scorch my esophagus! After the fire in my mouth is a bit extinguished, I mainly get red berries, raspberries and peat with a nice smoke development, but little more. Too hot. Water has to be added to this. Then it becomes a lot more accessible (doh!) and especially fruitier. The umami note is then replaced by all fruitiness. And the malt also becomes a bit creamy. I really like this.

Pure, the finish is warm and spicy, but not exactly long, honestly. Diluted, on the other hand, it is long, warm, sweet, spicy and slightly drying. Ribs on the BBQ on the deathbed – hooray!

Wow, a big bomb, but this one is (for me) not doable without water. Big thanks, Ivan!

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