Name: Benriach – The Smoky 12
Color: Light brown
Nose: Malt, oak, white fruits, flowers, citrus, peat
Taste: Malt, sherry, oak, coconut, vanilla, peat smoke
The Benriach Distillery is in the Speyside area of Scotland. It was established in 1898 and has changed ownership a few times over the years. Too many times to list the complete history.
Benriach – The Smoky 12 is bottled at 46% abv and is aged in ex-sherry, ex-bourbon and ex-Marsala casks. It is non chilled filtered, 100% malted barley, and is natural in its color. This expression has a strong malt forward flavor with sherry sweetness and the smokey peat on the finish. It is a nice flavor profile, but it reminds me of a sweeter smoky Johnnie Walker Black.
When tasted side by side with the Benriach 12 you can smell and taste the baseline, but the 12 is much easier to drink. They are not sister whisky’s; they are significantly different. If I had to pick one, I will select the 12 as it is easier on the plate. Whatever Benriach is doing they are not even in the ballpark with the “big boy” peaty whiskies like Laphroaig or Lagavulin. I think the distiller should work on developing Smoky 12 further. It has potential but it is not there yet.
- Expressions: 10,12,16, 21, 25, 30, 40, The Smoky 10, The Smoky 12, 40 Octave Cask Matured, Smoke Season, and Malting Season.
- Travel Retail: Cask Edition, Quarter Casks, Peated Quartered Cask, Triple Distilled
On my recent February 2023 trip to Scotland to see the family I accidentally picked up the 12 so it made for a good comparison. I enjoy Benriach and I look forward to tasting and reviewing more.
Priced around $65 and ok for the flavor profile. I will stick with the “big boys” if I want smoky peat.
If you like it, drink it! – Chris
If you like it, drink it!
