Benrinnes 17 Year Old 1979 Scott’s Selection

The distillery, founded in 1826, takes her name from the Ben Rinnes, a mountain of 840 meters height. But in the Great Speyside Floods of 1829 it was washed away, so had to be rebuilt completely. The current distillery dates back to 1835. We’ll try an auldie from Scott’s Selection, that was distilled in 1979 but by now has spent more time in the bottle than it did in the cask. Just sayin’. And will you look at that ABV. Surprisingly high.

The typical notes of citrus fruit, flowers and green herbs are present on the nose. Lemongrass, vanilla and some oak complete the picture. Textbook example of Benrinnes.

Despite the high ABV, the arrival is doable. Feisty, sure, but not impossible. However, what stands out is a perfume-y touch on the palate. It may be wrapped in citrus fruit and vanilla, pepper and oak, but still shines through and is unbecoming for this – otherwise fine – malt.

The finish is long, pretty sharp and bittersweet.

Very good Benrinnes from an era gone by. Only the FWP on the palate is a pity.

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