Benrinnes 13 Red Wine Barrique - Caskshare - 57.4%
Caskshare is a company who buy single casks with the aim of “bringing whisky lovers the uncompromised experience of your own maturing cask whisky, by the bottle. One bottle, one Caskshare and the world's finest distilleries at your fingertips”.
About the whisky:
Benrinnes Distillery filled in 2009 and re-racked into 1st fill Chateau Potensac Wine Barrique in June of 2021.
Cask code: 301377/2009
Est. Yield: 236 bottles
Bottling strength: Cask strength
Spirit style: Un-Peated Whisky
Tasting notes:
Note: First impressions on opening were that this whisky is extremely abv forward and, whilst that may suit some, for me it was getting in the way of distinguishing any notes even when reduced with a little water. As a result I decided to put this whisky to one side for a few weeks, the notes are based on this second tasting.
Appearance: Amber gold with a faint pinkish hue, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thin legs.
Nose: Floral, rosewater Turkish Delight, cherries and red berries.
Palate: The abv is still a dominant factor, although the heat has dropped a little allowing more of the character to show. With water reduction, strawberry jam, barley sugar, a touch of coastal saltiness, ginger provides warm spice, followed by white pepper heat.
Finish: Red berries and barley sugar linger, together with white pepper heat. Water allows more of the sweet, fruity character to develop.
Summary: Extremely alcohol forward, perhaps surprisingly so given this is a 13 year old whisky. This is a malt which needs time and air to bring out its true character. Neat, it still runs a little too hot but the addition of water really lets it shine, and this is a whisky which can take quite a bit of water. And that is the beauty of cask strength whiskies, they provide enough margin to allow you to play around with water until you find your own ‘sweet spot’.
Once I found my sweet spot, red fruit jam combines with floral notes ripe cherries, sea salt, ginger and peppery spice to give a very enjoyable experience.
Normally priced at £75.50, this was an introductory offer from Caskshare and arrived as a free gift on joining the Caskshare Collective for a fee of £45. At that price, an absolute bargain.
If you would like more information on this whisky, the Caskshare portfolio or how to become a member, follow the link to the company website.
Transparency: No goods or other incentives were exchanged, offered or requested for this independent review.
