Benriach 1972, 33 years, Oloroso Sherry Butt no. 1733, 356/562, 45% abv.

The 72s seems to be a bit rare, actually the 70-75s seem to be hard to find. I wonder how this lovely Benriach will treat me.

Nose: salted apples, honey, strongly roasted cashews, floral, an extremely flavorful boquet.

Palate: good body, initial palate is honey, a little sour, mid palate is honeyed meats, spice builds up, becomes borderline wet old steamed lotus leaves, but stayed inside to give a more fruit juice approach to the flavors, back palate has a puff of smoke appear which dissipates with time.

Finish: medium, seasoned honey, fig juice.

Dry glass: burnt toast.

This is pretty nice, especially with that puff of smoke at the end. I like the flavors, but it seems to not be as strong, deep, or impactful in terms of flavors relative to other old Benriach single casks. Like other old Benriach single casks, it is a lesson in fruit flavors and varieties.

Grade: B

Whiskyfun.com, Serge Valentin, sgp:742, 90 points
Malt maniacs, 88 points on 6 reviews

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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