Benrinnes | Whisky Den

Bought: Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 17^th October 2016

Ratings:
0/100 – Whiskybase (awaiting votes)
4/5- Philip Storry (his review here)

There are 102 different versions of Benrinnes by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) listed on Whiskybase. Seven 13-year-olds get ratings, which range from 81/100 to 89/100. Most are in the upper 80s. That’s very impressive. Owned by Diageo the principal single malt is the 15yo Flora and Fauna series. The house style is full-bodied, smoky yet also sweet with cereal notes and malt.

Distilled in 2002 and bottled in 2016 this Benrinnes is named ‘Ivory Keys’. Here are the notes provided by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society:

Flavour profile: Sweet, fruity & mellow

The initial sweet, fruity and floral array of aromas reminded us of natural rosewater essence, pear drops and ripe bananas. But at the same time there was also the scent of clean wood finally described as opening the lid of a grand mahogany piano and lifting the fallboard after it had been expertly cleaned and tuned. If you have never experienced that, how about ‘sipping a tree’ – a ‘cedar infused’ Campari accompanied by ginger spiced marmalade on toasted rye bread. Diluted; apples in new wooden boxes and crates of limes before we finally relaxed with Viennese apple strudel and a Wiener Melange coffee.

Drinking tips: Listening to Mozart Piano Sonata No.11

benrinnes-13yo-smws-36-103-70cl

Bought – C Gar Ltd, 22^nd October 2013

Ratings:
74/100 – Whiskybase (from 1 member vote)

This Benrinnes is part of the 24 x 20cl bottles that make up the Carn Mor Vintage Collection. Distilled in 2002 and bottled in 2009, it’s from a limited edition of 1473, Cask No: 5.

Because I’m such a glass-half-full person, the lack of reviews on the internet for the Carn Mor collection makes me think I’ve bought something quite unique! Perhaps in 20 years from now I’ll be selling my bottles for a small fortune. Either that or people will be thinking “Carn Mor?! Never heard of it!” You have to wonder. But for now a 20cl bottle was a cheap way to tick Benrinnes distillery off my list.

Bottles of Benrinnes reviewed in the Whisky Bible 2013 vary greatly from 96/100 for an A. D. Rattray bottling, to 67/100 for a bottle by Provenance. The youngest Benrinnes malt Jim Murray reviews is an 11-year-old but at least that gets an 83.5/100 and a comment of “delicious!” What my Carn Mor bottle would score when falling on Mr Murray’s tastebuds is anyone’s guess. Being so young I’m guessing the finish will be short but doesn’t that mean it’s quicker to get to the next sip?! 🙂 Sounds good to me, so long as the mouth taste is a nice one.