BenRiach 2000 Review

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highland - Speyside

Brand: BenRiach

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age:  12 Years

ABV:  54.4% %

Colour: Old Gold  

Nose: You need to be patient with this BenRiach. It takes its time before revealing its character. The Oak and Vanilla are clearly present,  accompanied by Juicy Sweet Malt, Butterscotch, Cake and Whipped Cream, Honey, Sweet Fruit like Nectarine and Peach, Light Spices (Cinnamon and Ginger) and Hints of Cocoa Milk and Milk Chocolate. There is some Alcohol there, quite logical given the high ABV, but it does not sting or bite.

Palate: Lots of Oak, Spices like White Pepper and Nutmeg, Coconut-Cocktail, Malt, Honey, Heather and Dried Fruits.

Finish: Malty, Fruity and quite Long with Honey, Pear-Drops, Caramel, Toffee, Oak, Licorice and White Pepper.

I added a bit of Water and the Nose becomes more Fruity, Creamy and Floral with the Oak and Alcohol being forced back. Additional Hints of Mint, Tea and After Eight Chocolate. But Palate and Finish do not improve in my opinion. So add some Water for Nosing purposes but sip it neat.

Rating: 85

Nose: 22 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 21

General Remarks: The BenRiach (Gaelic for Speckled Mountain) Distillery was founded in 1898 by John Duff. Since 2004 it's in the hands of a joint-venture between South African Infra Trading and Burn Stewart manager Billy Walker. This BenRiach 2000 is a Limited Distillery Release for The Netherlands. It was distilled in 2000 and bottled at Cask Strength in October 2012. It matured in a Virgin Oak Hogshead with Cask # 9030 out of which 309 bottles of 700 ml were drawn. This BenRiach is non chill-filtered and no artificial colourants were added. It costs around 80 US Dollars.   

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: I do miss the Peat (Smoke) in this BenRiach as it combines so nicely with the Oak, Honey and Heather like for instance in the BenRiach 16. The Oak and Spices are a bit too dominant in the BenRiach 2000 although there are some very nice notes of Fruit and Milk Chocolate on the Nose. If you like Bourbons with a high ABV, this might be an interesting step into the world of Scottish Single Malts. I am glad I was able to taste a sample of the BenRiach 2000. But I would not consider buying a full bottle of it. 

Jan van den Ende                                                                     May 3, 2013

Dalwhinnie 15 Years Review

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highland - Central

Brand: Dalwhinnie

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age:  15 Years

ABV:  43 %

Colour: Bright Pale Gold

Nose: Fruity, Floral and Dry with Malt, Honey, Wax, Heather, Green Apple, Toast and Butter, Straw/Grass, Apricot, Citrus (Nectarine), Oak, Vanilla, Brown Sugar, light Sherry and a hint of Peat. Bit of Alcohol as well. 

Palate: Rather Thin, Bitter-Sweet and Spicy Delivery with Barley Sugar,  Pepper, Licorice, Citrus, Grass, Heather, Caramel and Walnuts. 

Finish: Bitter-Sweet with Malt, Honey, Almonds, Grass, Heather, Herbs, Red Berries, Caramel, Coffee and Spices.

With a bit of Water, the Nose becomes even more Malty and Floral. I don't find significant changes on the Palate and in the Finish. But you can add a bit of Water as this will further open the Nose and get rid of the Alcohol.

Rating: 83

Nose: 21.5 - Taste:  20.5  - Finish: 20.5 - Overall: 20.5

General Remarks: The Dalwhinnie Distillery is the highest - and most remote Scottish Distillery. It was originally named Strathspey (a village nearby) and was founded in 1897. The pure spring water comes from Lochan An Doire-Uaine, the highest source of any malt, located at 2000 feet in the Drumochter Hills. The Distillery is now part of the Diageo group and represents the Central Highlands in their Classic Malt Range. It is also suggested that the Dalwhinnie is used in the Johnnie Walker - and Black & White Blends. It's priced at around 50 US Dollars and that's a bit expensive for what it offers.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good 

Conclusion: Almost Lowland Characteristics. It reminded me a lot of the Deanston 12 as well. Fresh and Fruity on the Nose and rather light on the Palate. This makes the Dalwhinnie 15 a good Aperitif for one of those Summer afternoons. You might even consider throwing in an ice-cube. It's quite easy-going and lots of people will probably like this Single Malt for it. But it's a bit too light and mainstream for me to be honest. Too little to discover in the Dalwhinnie 15 years. Harmless but forgettable. 

Jan van den Ende                                                                     May 1, 2013

Dalmore 15 Years Review

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highland 

Brand: The Dalmore

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age:  15 Years

ABV:  40 %

Colour: Dark Amber/Mahogany (Artificially Coloured) 

Nose: Quite a Rich and Full Nose with very defined notes of Malt, Orange, Chocolate, Sherry, Oak, Nuts, Dried Fruits like Raisins and Sultanas, Brown Sugar, Treacle, Toffee/Butterscotch, Honey and a light presence of Sulphur. The Fruits in the background include Pineapple and Pear. Black Espresso to round it all off.

Palate: Follows the Nose with Malted Barley, Orange, Caramel, Raisins, Sherry, Oak, Almonds and Spices like Ginger and Cloves. Some hints of Aniseed, Lemon, Coffee and Licorice.

Finish: Sweet at first but quickly becoming Dry with Malt, Caramel, Oak, Toffee, Pepper, Nuts, Black Espresso and Chocolate.

I added a bit of Water and the Nose becomes more Fruity and quite Malty. Lots of Honey, Toffee and Butterscotch as well. Palate and Finish do not improve. You can certainly play with a bit of Water but be careful not to overdo it.

Rating: 85.5

Nose: 22 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 21.5

General Remarks: In 1263,King Alexander III was almost gored by a mighty Stag. One of the ancestors of the Mackenzie Clan saved him with a single arrow shot. As a reward the Clan won the right to bear a Stag's Head with twelve (Royal) points to its antlers in their Coat of Arms. The Mackenzie Family later became the owners of The Dalmore Distillery and added the Stag emblem to their bottles. The Distillery was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson and is located in the town of Alness in the Northern Highlands. It's currently in the possession of United Spirits from India, the owners of Whyte & Mackay. The Diageo Group is bidding to buy United Spirits at the moment. The 15 Years was released in 2007. It matured for 12 years in American White Oak Ex-Bourbon Casks and was finished for another 3 years in three different Ex-Sherry Butts namely Matusalem, Apostoles and Amoroso. It costs around 70 US Dollars.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good 

Conclusion: Well-Crafted Single Malt although it should have been bottled at 43% or higher. High concentration of Malt, Sherry, Chocolate and Orange. If you dig that, the Dalmore 15 will not disappoint you. I find it tasteful, slightly better than the 12 Years but a bit one-sided. Love the Espresso note though!

Jan van den Ende                                                                      April 26, 2013