The Benriach Distillery, known for its Speyside style, has released new flavour forward expressions. These bottles are artistically crafted by Master Blender Dr. Rachel Barrie and her team, which highlights the orchard fruits in their flavour, with surprising notes of sweet, smoky and oaky. We speak to Stuart Fear, Brand Ambassador of Brown Forman for Asia to find out more about the new releases.
A World Of Flavour: Benriach Virtual Whisky Tasting
A virtual whisky tasting was conducted for the media in Kuala Lumpur virtually by Stuart Fear, who is located in Taiwan, with a tasting of 4 expressions, The Original Ten, The Smoky Ten, The Twelve and The Smoky Twelve, each offering a different experience. Each had a different flavour palate, with a certain fruitiness appearing in all four pours. While some may assume that the older expressions are better, this is not necessarily the case. We find out more about these expressions.
Can you tell us a bit about your background in the drinks industry.
Around 10 years ago I started to buy single malt whisky in the hope of understanding what was making whisky from the homeland so popular. Originally I always thought whisky was just whisky, a drink that would be defined as good or bad, smooth or fiery; I never thought there would ever be such a thing as “tasting notes”. I bought a handful of 12 year old Single Malts and began comparing daily, slowly training my nose and palate, and with perseverance I developed the ability to distinguish the different flavours and aromas. My small whisky collection grew and the topic of Scotch history and production matured into a hobby. I started to keep a whisky journal and write a blog about my favourite whiskies and fun snippets of history. Eventually I got up the courage to organise and host my own tastings, presenting to friends, strangers and even some whisky influencers. One thing led to another and in 2016 I was invited to join one of the biggest whisky producers in the world as its local brand ambassador. After several weeks training in Scotland I was back in Taiwan where my passion was now officially my profession. In 2019 I moved to Brown-Forman taking the role of Asia Regional Brand Ambassador heading brand education and advocacy for our three single malt whiskies; Benriach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh.
Can you tell us a bit about the BenRiach distillery?
Considered by many Master Blenders to be their second favourite distillery (their own is always no.1), for most of its life it was the foundation and a vital ingredient in several blended whiskies. Originally founded in 1898, it spent 65 years silent until in 1965 during the height of the whisky boom it was brought back to help supply the ever growing Scotch demand. It quickly established itself with its fruit forward style and smooth taste, however the distillers noticed potential and wanted to try something experimental in the Benriach craft. In 1972 at a time when no others in the region were, Benriach started using Highland Peat in its production to give its whisky a unique and distinctive sweet smoke aroma. The tradition of producing smoky Benriach is one we continue to this day and can be found in our new “Smoky” range, as well as our older age statements, 21, 25 and 30 years old. Benriach is a whisky like no other, we are a single distillery producing three styles of single malt: CLASSIC, SMOKY and TRIPLE DISTILLED which we then mature in an eclectic collection of casks sourced from all over the world. We at the Benriach provide the whisky community with something brave, bold and like no other.
Of the four expressions tasted which ones do you personally like and why?
That’s like asking me to pick a favourite child! But I would have to say, Smoky Twelve 12 years old. It is such a multi-layered whisky which embodies everything the Benriach is. The distinctive highland peat smoke character which conjures images of BBQ and Cantonese style Char Siu. The unique three cask maturation with bourbon casks providing the classic fruit forward Benriach style, the sherry casks adding caramel sweetness and warming spices, and lastly the Marsala wine casks with layers of brown sugar and nutty aromas. A whisky with so many layers of unique flavour combinations, truly a World of Flavour in a bottle.
What should we be looking out for in The Original Ten?
Our Master Blender Dr. Rachel Barrie describes it as “Taiwanese Pineapple cake 鳳梨酥”. This is truly the classic Benriach style: fruity and malty with an element of oak. The flavours of fresh apples and baked pineapple, buttery pastry with a touch of ginger spice give you images of springtime. It is a classic Speyside single malt but with that distinctive Benriach twist.
What should we be looking out for in The Smoky Ten?
This is an introduction to Speyside peated style. Unlike the majority of peated whisky in Scotland, the style we produce does not have the medicinal flavour common to Islay and Island whiskies. We at Benriach use Highland peat which produces a distinctive smoke forward aroma similar to the smell of a bonfire or barbeque. We mature this whisky in three types of casks; bourbon which emphasises the fruity backbone of Benriach, we have some Jamaican rum casks which are rarely seen in Scotch whisky, and finally we throw in some Virgin oak to add a layer of spice.
What should we be looking out for in The Twelve?
The sherry casks here are perfectly complimented by the sweet and tart notes of the Portuguese Port wine casks. This is a sherry forward whisky and I consider it to be the sweetest of the new range. It is packed full of honey, berry and cherry flavours, the mouthfeel is chocolatey and viscous with the right balance between sweet and sour. This whisky really is the dessert of the range, imagine a slice of cherry pie with a cup of mocha coffee to wash it down.
What should we be looking out for in The Smoky Twelve?
The unique combination of bourbon, sherry and marsala wine casks. The use of Italian Marsala wine casks is very rare in Scotch whisky, we are one of the only distilleries with a history of using these casks and might be the only distillery to have ever used these in a none limited edition release. The Marsala wine casks are an invaluable member of this three cask maturation, it gives us the nutty and brown sugar flavours which go so perfectly well with the sherry casks and the distinctive Benriach Smoky aroma. I am yet to see other distilleries in Scotland experimenting with peated whisky and Marsala wine cask maturation.
Which would you recommend for people trying BenRiach for the first time?
The Original Ten 10 years old, this whisky represents the core DNA of the Benriach distillery. A classic Speyside single malt, fruity and smooth, but with the distinctive Benriach twist. The addition of the virgin oak casks add an extra layer which you won’t find in other whiskies at this age. It’s the perfect whisky for anyone looking to start their single malt journey, it has enough of the “Speyside” elements to make it classic, but enough of “Benriach” to make it one of a kind.
And for veterans?
Veteran whisky drinkers can always find a surprise with Benriach. Thanks to our three styles of spirit and our eclectic cask collection, you will find aromas and flavour combinations that cannot be found anywhere else in Scotland. No matter if you have been drinking for 5 years or 50 years, you will find something in the new range that you have not experienced before. No matter which whisky you pick from our new range, whether the Original Ten or our award winning 30 years old; each bottle represents what we proudly stand for as the Benriach distillery. Three styles of spirit, countless cask combinations, come to the Benriach and discover a World of Flavours.
- To purchase directly, key in BROWBR1, at the exit of purchase at the Brown Forman’s Malaysia Official store.
Terms & Conditions:
Each promo code comes with a RM 25 discount for all BenRiach products in BF Shopee store
Each promo code is limited to 30 only.
All promo codes above are valid till 15th September 2021.
|PHOTOGRAPHY: BENRIACH | WEBSITE: BENRIACH DISTILLERY |