Benriach 11 YO Single Cask #26120 (bourbon)

On May 4, @cricklewood visited me while I was in Ottawa and we had a small but epic tasting. We prepared sample bottles for convenience and ended up swapping what was left of the samples. This was one of the bottles.

I don’t have much information other than the sticker on the sample. This was bourbon cask #26120, distilled in 2001 and matured for 11 years, bottled at what appears to be a cask strength of 53.6%.

I have not had too many Benriach expressions and so am looking forward to picking this one apart.

This expression, tasted in a Túath Irish Whiskey Glass, is reviewed in my usual manner, allowing it to settle after which I take my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of a capful of water, waiting, then nosing and tasting.

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Nose: 22.5/25

Sweet. Fruity. A bit spirity and syrupy. Green apples that develop into golden delicious, caramel and a little vanilla. Rich, thick nose. Water brings out the fruit syrup a little more.

Taste: 21/25

Hot on the first sip, with sweet and sour in the background. Fruity. spicy and a little spirity with some caramel and more vanilla than in the nose. Water gives it a thinner mouthfeel, brightens up the spirit and makes it fruitier. with more pepper in the development. (22/25)

Finish: 21.5/25

medium long, astringent and peppery. More sour with water.

Balance: 21.5/25

Pleasant, not too complex on the palate, but it is complimented by the nose. Balances out a little more with water. (22/25)

Score: Neat - 86.5/100 With Water: 88 /100

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I should note that I added 2-3 cc of water to what had started as a 25 mL pour. More than usual but it seemed to work very well.

This is a solid whisky. Definitely worth trying. Thanks again to @Cricklewood for sharing this with me.

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