Benriach 1991 Exceptional Cask
Cask Type: Hogshead
Bottled: 2023
Age: 31
Region: Speyside
No. of bottles: 254
ABV: 48.3%
Release: Spring Release 2023
Rob Whitehead
“For most of its life Glencadam was little
known other than as a contributor to house
blends including Stewart’s Cream of the
Barley. This changed when the Hillman
family bought the distillery in 2003, resuming
production and puting the whisky firmly on the
map as a top notch single malt in its own right.”
Tasting Notes
Like a good book, this elegant old Speysider builds
with time and grows in character – be prepared to
give it a good hour in the glass to open up. Aromas
of banana bread, musty attics, leather and wax blend
with fresher fruit notes to create an incredibly deep
nose. This theme continues on the palate, which
displays a beautifully aged character, with notes of
spiced custard, cardamom fudge. Hints of praline
build alongside dried apricot and something pleasingly
musty. Lingering spice and fruit show with an
unexpected puff of wood smoke on the back palate.
This is a marvellous example of aged Speyside whisky.
Distillery
Benriach Distillery, near Elgin, is a short walk from its sister distillery, Longmorn. The distillery was constructed in 1898 at the height of the Victorian whisky boom but soon fell silent, not resuming production again until 1965.
Jonny says: “Visiting Benriach is always a pleasure, whether it be to select casks, or to enjoy the victorian charm of their super-rare on-site floor maltings. The site is arranged around a thoroughfare, with each part of the process taking place around this central spine. A place, and a spirit, that is evocative of a bygone age.”