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Benriach 15 years Madeira

woody
4.1
(1)€80Scotland, Speyside, Single Malt

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Taste mentions

Facts

Speyside is supposed to be the gentle end of Scotch whisky. Benriach never fully agreed. Some of the spirit made at the distillery is lightly peated, and this fifteen-year-old is one of those. After fifteen years in cask, it was moved into ex-Madeira wood for a final stretch. That wine cask adds sweetness without burying the smoke. What you get is citrus and vanilla up front, then a dry, peppery close. It was an official distillery bottling and has since been discontinued. Bottles now turn up mostly at auction and in specialist shops.

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About the distillery

Distillery

Benriach

The Benriach distillery is located in the Speyside region of Scotland and was established in 1898. It is known for producing single malt whiskies that are characterized by their fruity and floral notes, often with a hint of peat smoke. The distillery sources its water from the Burnside Springs and uses traditional methods of production, including floor malting. In 2004, the distillery was closed but was reopened in 2008 after being purchased by a consortium led by Billy Walker. Today, Benriach produces a range of whiskies, including aged expressions and limited edition bottlings. The distillery is also known for experimenting with different cask finishes and maturation techniques, resulting in unique and interesting flavour profiles.

3.9Average rating

93Whiskies on Distilld

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About the Benriach 15 years Madeira

Benriach 15 years Madeira is a single malt Scotch whisky from Speyside, bottled at 46%. Fifteen years in cask came first, then a second stay in ex-Madeira wood. Madeira itself is a fortified wine made in Portugal. Casks that once held it push extra sweetness into the spirit. This was an official distillery bottling, not an independent one. It has since been discontinued, so what is left in shops is what remains. Speyside built its name on soft, unpeated malt. Benriach does not follow that script all of the time. Some of the spirit made here is lightly peated, which is rare in this part of Scotland. This fifteen-year-old comes from that gentler peated stock. The smoke never dominates. It sits low in the glass and gives the fruit something firm to lean against. The Madeira wood then softens the edges. The nose opens on fresh fruit and bright citrus. Lemon and orange lead, with vanilla and a thread of cream behind them. On tasting, the whisky turns sweet and rounder than expected, vanilla running the length of it. Then things change direction. Wood and oak move to the front, bringing spice and a peppery bite. That late dryness stops the sweetness from ever feeling heavy or cloying. Benriach 15 years Madeira earns its place through contrast rather than power. Most Speyside malts of this age lean on sherry or bourbon wood alone. This bottling starts with lightly peated spirit and finishes it in Portuguese wine casks. Sweet and smoky at the same time is an unusual combination. That tension is the reason to seek it out. Anyone wanting to know what peat does to a Speyside malt has an answer here.