Review #1386 – Benrinnes 23yr

This is a 23yo release from Benrinnes, as an entry in Diageo’s Special releases back in 2009. Only 6000 bottles were released, and this expression features heavily sherried Benrinnes spirit bottled at cask strength. Let’s dive in.

Review #1386 | Scotch Review #480

Distiller: Benrinnes

Bottler: Benrinnes

Brand: Benrinnes

Selection: N/A

ABV: 58.8% ABV

Age: 23 Years

Nose: Syrupy, rich toffee honey, plum and fig. Cocoa, pipe tobacco, musty old sherry.

Taste: Thick, rich, syrupy and a touch of ethanol. Sulfur, pipe tobacco, blackberry, fig, currants. Powerful and syrupy.

Finish: Long, rich and powerful. The sherry sticks around with more pepper and tobacco. It’s pungent, rich, a far cry from cloying. Whisps away pleasantly.

Overall: This is phenomanal and is an excellent frontrunner to show that not all old sherry bombs need the Glendronach effect – powerful sweetness. This had the fruits, tobacco, candy, pepper and all ths things I love in an old sherry bomb without being hella sweet. Excellent expression, and may live to be one of my favorites of the year.

Thanks for reading!

Rank: 9

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Decoded:

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect