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Benriach Curiositas 10 Year Old Peated

Iodine & Sea Weeds

4 1080

@markjedi1Review by @markjedi1

5th Dec 2017

1

Benriach Curiositas 10 Year Old Peated
  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    80

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I am not very fond of the BenRiach Curiositas to be honest. That probably explains why I have not tried it since 2010. My buddy Pat gave me a sample from a more recent bottling and told me to give it another go. Well, why not?

The nose is soft and accessible and shows some iodine and sea weeds next to lovely notes of white fruit and vanilla. Having said that, the nose is quite closed. After a few minutes of breathing some white bread and heather join in. But the whole is very light.

It is mildly oily and sweet, but quite peppery from the start with lots of maritime elements. It shows some vanilla, white fruit, heather and soft peat. But from the second sip forwards, I also get oyster sap and some soot. That may not sound great, but it does work.

The finish is medium long on loads of earth and sweet malt.

Still one of my least favorite expressions from BenRaich, but much better than I remembered.

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10 comments

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

This one seems to be a love it or hate it dram. I like it as a change from Islay style peat in much the same way that I like Ledaig 10 as an Islay alternative.

7 years ago 0

@Robert99
Robert99 commented

@markjedi1 I totally agree with you. As a non sherry expression I prefer the Rum finish and as a sherry one I would jump on the Heredotus if it was still available.

@BlueNote In fact, I am neutral regarding the Curiositas. I don't hate it but I would not go out of my way to have a glass.

7 years ago 1Who liked this?

@MadSingleMalt
MadSingleMalt commented

I'm with @Robert99. I had a bottle a few years ago and like it well enough, but I haven't felt compelled to get another one since then.

7 years ago 0

@RianC
RianC commented

@markjedi1 - I had a bottle over the summer and whilst I somewhat enjoyed it I won't be rushing to get another. Seemed a little disjointed - the peat and sweetness not really coming together.

40% was also not doing it any favours.

7 years ago 0

@markjedi1
markjedi1 commented

@RianC Agreed!

7 years ago 0

@Hewie
Hewie commented

@RianC I see this "on offer" (we call it on special) locally but I'm not sure whether to pull the trigger or not. Fortunately we get it bottled at 46% ABV which is a nice bonus for us for a change.

6 years ago 1Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC commented

@Hewie - Seems that the 46% one gets more favourable feedback so could be worth a gander?

In fairness, I'm finding that in general, and bar a few notable exceptions, sweet style distillate with peat, especially non Islay, isn't my thing. I feel Ardmore has a similar profile to the Curiositas and whilst it's not bad it just doesn't 'do it for me'. Even Lagavulin at 8 years I found a bit too much on the sweet side so take that as you will, mate relaxed

6 years ago 1Who liked this?

@MadSingleMalt
MadSingleMalt commented

@Hewie, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a decently priced 46% Curiositas if I was looking for a change of peaty pace.

6 years ago 2Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

A friend of mine received a bottle of this at 40% from someone cleaning out his father's home and promptly gave it to me. I gave it to @paddockjudge - I think he may have used it in a tasting.

6 years ago 0

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

@MadSingleMalt Yes, I have had the 46% version a couple of times and thought it was good. I would buy that one again, but I would think it's avoidable at 40%.

6 years ago 1Who liked this?