Speyside’s BenRiach Distillery marks the beginning of 2014 by rolling out its four new Single Malt Scotch Whiskies in the U.S. market. Four new BenRiach expressions are imported by San Francisco-based Anchor Distilling which already markets 20 BenRiach whiskies in the U.S.
The BenRiach Horizons 12 Year Old Triple Distilled
Most whiskies are distilled only twice, but The BenRiach Horizons is distilled three times before it’s aged for 12 years. The resulting spirit features a nose of roasted nuts, hot buttered scones and sweet heather honey. Drink up for more nutty characteristics, plus sweet, creamy oak and honey. 50% ABV / $79.99
The BenRiach Solstice 2nd Edition 17 Year Old
Like the first edition, Solstice 17 Year Old has been distilled from heavily peated malted barley before it is matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished in tawny port casks. The result: lots of peat and lots of fruit. On the nose, you’ll get plenty of strawberries, blackberries and red currants, plus a heavy dose of that peat with traces of port. On the palate, things start dry, roasty and nutty before moving toward heavy peat, dried raisins and candied fruit. The finish is long and smooth. 50% ABV / $99.99
The BenRiach Septendecim 17 Year Old Peated Single Malt
This peated single malt is non chill-filtered and matured in ex-bourbon casks for a bold and flavorful expression. On the nose, there’s a mix of fresh peaty aromas, apples, honey and toasted nuts. Take a sip and that peaty backbone is accented with honey, raisins and leather. 46% ABV / $79.99
The BenRiach Authenticus 25 Year Old Peated Single Malt
More peat here, as the 25 Year Old drinks in smoky, full-bodied fashion. On the nose, Authenticus has notes of ripe pineapples, fresh herbs and peat smoke. On the palate, there’s more peat, more herbs and some sweet, wild honey. All around, this is one robust, flavorful and long-lasting dram. 46% ABV / $249.99
BenRiach Distillery was established in 1898 by John Duff, on the same site as Longmorn distillery. BenRiach, named for the Gaelic for ‘speckled mountain’, was one of the few distilleries with its own floor maltings, following closure they remained in use, supplying neighbouring Longmorn. In April of 2004, BenRiach was sold, along with several thousand casks, for £5.4million to the South African Infra Trading combining their efforts with Burn Stewart director Billy Walker. In 2007 the distillery extended its core range with 3 single malt expressions; Heredotus Fumosus, Importanticus Fumosus and Arumaticus Fumosus. In 2008, the company expanded their portfolio with the acquisition of the Glendronach distillery as well as the Glenglassaugh distillery in March 2013.
