BenRiach 16 Year Old Single Malt

Distillery: BenRiach

Region: Speyside

Age: 16 years

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: 40%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Bright golden.

Aroma: A tapestry of toasted nuts, honey and marzipan.

Taste: Softly spiced malt and honey with a subtle injection of fruit.

Finish: Soft vanilla, given weight by a delicate touch of smoke.

Sourcing its water from springs deep below the distillery, BenRiach produces some of the most easy-going Speyside malts. The 16 year old showcases this delicate style, yet with a degree of complexity that has propelled it high on many experts "recommended" lists.

Glenfarclas 15 Year Old Single Malt

Distillery: Glenfarclas

Region: Speyside

Age: 15 years

Maturation Cask: Sherry

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: 46%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Rich gold.

Aroma: Unabashed in it's fragrance, likened to a woody cologne.

Taste: Almost sweet and rum-like with strong hints of wood.

Finish: Dense, creamy and powerful, yet balanced.

An independent distillery, the Grant family have owned Glenfarclas since 1860 producing whisky that many enthusiasts embrace as a personal favourite. What this popular 15 year old lacks in subtlety it more than makes up in its power and flavour, leading to high ratings and awards.

BenRiach "Curiositas" 10 Year Old Single Malt

Distillery: BenRiach

Region: Speyside

Age: 10 years

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: 46%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Rich amber.

Aroma: An explosion of peat reek, hints of honey, fruit and oak.

Taste: A deluge of peat chased by a mix of heather, fruit, nuts and spices.

Finish: A hot and long finish of cereal, smoke and (with water) a hint of cinnamon.

BenRiach returns to the original 19th Century character of Speyside malts by using heavily peated malted barley to bring out a distinctive and unique flavour. The result is an appealing dram that has won medals in several international competitions. Recommended with a wee dash of water.

Glenfarclas 30 Year Old Single Malt

Distillery: Glenfarclas

Region: Speyside

Age: 30 years

Maturation Cask: Sherry

Bottler: Distillery

Strength: 43%

Volume: 70cl

Tasting Notes

Colour: Dark gold, full and rich.

Aroma: A complex and full mixture of fruit and spices. Often likened to fruitcake.

Taste: Brandy, fruit, nuts

Finish: An incredibly long finish with a lingering hint of charred chocolate.

Glenfarclas is rare in still being a family owned distillery even after nearly 200 years. So revered even a rival distiller is reputed to have proclaimed "of all the kings Glenfarclas reigns supreme", it is unsurprising that their 30 year old is a past winner of the International Spirits Award overall trophy.