BenRiach at The Vaults Leith
Last Thursday (Thursday 19th April) I was one of several guests invited to a tasting of four expressions from
BenRiach Distilery. The tasting was held in the fabulous Tasting Room at The Scotch
Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, Leith.
Our host for the evening was Matt Chambers, Scotch Whisky Portfolio Brand Ambassador for Brown-Foreman who now own BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh distilleries.
The first two drams we tasted were:-
10 Year Old A very typical Speyside, very fresh and clean with loads of fruit and vanilla, some ginger nip, a little citrus burst, I enjoyed this one neet, quite a delight.
10 Year Old Curiositas (Peated) This one was quite a contrast to the previous one, in came the peat and it was quite sweet and aromatic, still got loads of fruit and some honey, the finish was long with the peat and the oak lingering longest.
At this point we had a short interlude when we were served board after board of culinary delights, Cheese & charcuterie, oak smoked salmon, haggis, Isle of Mull cheddar, leek & Guiness rarebit together with hand cut chips.
So a big thanks to the staff in the kitchen and the bar for a terrific selection and great service.
Onto the final two, the first was only released a month or two ago and the second has still to be bottled. Both these bottling’s are the creation of Rachel Barrie, The Master Blender for all three distilleries.
21 Year Old Fruits, fruits and more fruits, tiny bit of warming spice, honey over meringue, I had to add a teardrop of water.
21 Year Old Temporis (Peated) The peat arrives quietly together with come Caribbean fruity friends, again it is sweet, a viscous and creamy feel to the palate, the finish is long and full of sweet peat.
Looks like Rachel has a bit of a triumph on her hands with the last two, cannot wait to get the Temporis in The Whisky Boys tasting cabinet, when I ask Matt when it was expected to be bottled and released, his reply was “soon”.
A grand night was had by all, so, a big thanks to Matt and the staff at The Vaults.
