BenRiach 1990 (Single Malts of Scotland)

The Single Malts of Scotland is still the quintessential series from Speciality Drinks / The Whisky Exchange.

They’ve just presented four new bottlings: Glenrothes 1989, Benrinnes 1991, Bunnahabhain 1980 and this BenRiach 1990.

BenRiach 26yo 1990 (50,2%, Single Malts of Scotland 2016, barrel #030143, 152 btl.)

Nose: nice profile albeit slightly restrained – not a fruit bomb. Orchard fruits, mainly yellow apple cores and hints of artisan cider. Melons. Some broken branches and grassy notes. Dandelions. The lightest chalky note, and minty notes as well.

Mouth: pure spirit, with the same, slightly subdued fruitiness. Mainly on fruit eau-de-vie. Lightly syrupy orange notes. Peaches and plums. Lemon zest. Hints of creamy toffee. Touches of ginger and nutmeg, growing spicier over time.

Finish: long, still quite fruit-driven and lemony but dissipating into greener, slightly peppery notes and a faint yeasty hint.

Nicely sweet and fruity with a few greener notes and spicier touches. Very good, yet definitely more mainstream than what they produced in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Around € 125 from The Whisky Exchange.

Score: 87/100