May 8, 2022
Review
· Scotch
· Scotch Sunday
· Tastings
· Whisky
Benriach The Original Ten – Review
The Legend
Founded in 1898 by John Duff, legend has it that Benriach gets it’s name from the place where the distillery was built, “a small hill, or ‘Ben’ at the site of the old ‘Riach’ farm.”[1] The distillery unfortunately stopped producing whisky from 1900-1965 due to the “Pattison Crash”, brought on by the underhanded financial practices of the bottling company Pattison, Elder & Company. The distillery was able to survive off of providing malted barley to a neighboring distillery until they began distilling again in 1965.
Benriach was one of the first Speyside distilleries to start making peated whiskies. The first ever 10 year single malt was released in 1994. To this day, the 1994 release is used as inspiration for the current 10 year single malt releases. Brown Forman acquired the distillery in 2016 and brought Dr. Rachel Barrie on in 2017 as the Master Blender. The core range of Benriach has blossomed under her direction.
Tasting Notes
Benriach The Original Ten
Distiller: The Benriach Distillery Co
Region: Speyside
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: Three cask: bourbon, sherry, virgin oak
Age: 10 years
ABV: 43%
Proof: 86
Retail Price: ~$45
Color: yellow gold
Legs: medium, medium-bodied
Nose: honeysuckle, peach tea, graham cracker, hints of cherry stems, black pepper and orange pulp
Palate: honey, citrus, black pepper, hints of smoke, astringent mouthfeel
Finish: pepper, lingers on the right cheek
"Our unique four water mash, and slow and deliberate distilling style, prepares a high quality spirit that is ready to take on the diverse flavours from our eclectic cask selection."
From Benriach Distillery
Final Thoughts
Great on the nose, interesting on the palate with the smoke notes, the finish is standard
Overall: 
Have you tried this expression from Benriach? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.
