BenRiach is one of the few Scottish brands that made themselves known only in the second half of the last century and did not immediately attract the attention of connoisseurs and connoisseurs. It cannot be said that awards at competitions rained down on BenRiach, as if from a cornucopia, but they are regular: since the beginning of the 2015st century, every year one of the species has been highly appreciated by professionals. So in 16, BenRiach was named the best distillery of the year at the World Whiskeys Awards, and BenRiach Aged XNUMX Years Old scotch received a gold award in a competition with three hundred of the best Scotch whiskeys.
Historical reference. The BenRiach distillery in the northeast of Scotland, in Speyside, was built in 1898 by entrepreneur John Duff. This was his second venture, the first being Longmorn, which had been operating successfully since 1875. The new distillery did not have time to develop capacity, in 1900 it was closed due to the economic problems of British industry. Only one workshop remained in operation, where they continued to make malt for Longmorn, which did not stop producing whiskey.
Work resumed at the distillery only in 1965. Then it was bought by the Glenlivet company, which reconstructed it. The modernization of equipment and production as a whole continued until 1987: all premises were repaired, new stills were installed, and a bottling shop was completed. Only the malthouse remained practically untouched – there, as before, all processes were carried out manually. This is what happens today: the malt is dried and specially fumigated with peat in manual mode. This gives the whiskey an astringent, smoky flavor that is uncharacteristic of Speyside.
In the 90s, the BenRiach distillery produced fumigated whiskey for Seagrams brand blends and laid the first casks to age single malt scotch in warehouses. In 2001, production was suspended due to the transfer of the distillery to other hands – it was bought by Seagrams, along with stocks in warehouses.
Work continued in 2004. In the same year, the first batch of BenRiach single malt scotch was released. But still, 70% of the alcohols produced by the distillery are used for blending by specialists from Seagrams, a Canadian alcohol company headquartered in Montreal.
Now the BenRiach distillery produces 3,5 million liters of whiskey per year. Peat is harvested right there, actively using it for fumigating malt, thanks to which the drink has a slightly smoked aroma and smoky taste. The method of cold filtration removes the oiliness characteristic of many varieties with a peaty tint. Experts recommend “BenRiach” as a digestif – drink neat or, as they do in Scotland, add a little ice water.
BenRiach range
- BenRiach Aged 12 Years Old (43%). Light amber with a golden sheen, the scotch smells of fruits, spring flowers, vanilla, notes of smoke and oak wood are barely perceptible. The taste is smooth, with hints of honey, dried prunes, heather peat. Warming long aftertaste. The drink’s first award was bronze at the International Spirits Challenge in 2005. Then there was the silver of the IWSC competition-exhibition in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2011.
- BenRiach Aged 16 Years Old (43%). Amber single malt drink with golden sparks with a pronounced aroma of apples and smoked prunes. The taste is soft with hints of prunes, dried cherries, honey and vanilla. The first awards were the silver of the International Spirits Challenge and the gold of IWSC in 2006, in 2007 – the silver medal of IWSC along with the title of “Best in Class”.
- BenRiach Aged 20 Years Old (46%). Scotch is a deep amber color with a spicy aroma, in which you can hear notes of almonds, apples, chocolate, honey and lightly smoked dried fruits. The taste is smooth, slightly smoky, with chocolate-nutty undertones. The first award was the gold of the International Spirits Challenge in 2005. Silver IWSC two years in a row – in 2006 and 2007.
- BenRiach Aged 25 Years Old (43%). The single malt is bright golden in color, with sweet aromas of honey, cocoa, apples and vanilla, with subtle notes of peat smoke. The taste is multifaceted, soft, with hints of smoked prunes, dried fruits and chocolate. First award – IWSC silver in 2007.
- BenRiach Aged 30 Years Old (46%). The golden cognac scotch smells of raisins, chocolate and cinnamon. The taste is soft and spicy with hints of dark chocolate and smoked plums. Smoky and spicy aftertaste of medium duration. First award – IWSC silver in 2008.
- BenRiach Aged 40 Years Old (50%). Scotch from a limited (265 bottles) exclusive series released in 2013. Light slightly sweet aroma with notes of dried melon, ripe apples, dried cherries and chocolate. Pleasant harmonious taste with hints of honey, almonds, chocolate. Long warming and slightly smoky aftertaste.
