The BenRiach Distillery has announced the release of BenRiach Authenticus 30 years old, a rare opportunity to experience a peated Speyside single malt dating back to the 1980s.
Crafted from densely peated malted barley, BenRiach Authenticus 30 years old is a rich, intense Speyside single malt Scotch whisky.
Back in the 1970s, BenRiach began distilling a proportion of its whisky using peated malted barley, marking a return to the original Speyside character and flavour of malts made during the nineteenth century. Today the distillery holds a rare inventory of peated Speyside single malt, dating as far back as 1975.
Research by leading whisky expert Charles MacLean indicates BenRiach was the first Speyside distillery to release a peated expression since WW2. This came in the form of BenRiach Curiositas 10 years old in 2004, which remains part of the core BenRiach peated range today. Since then, the distillery has experimented with peated wood finishes and the first BenRiach Peated Cask Strength release, an opportunity to experience a peated Speyside single malt in its most natural state.
BenRiach peated single malt whiskies are distilled from peat cut in the North-East of Scotland, containing a prevalence of wood derived from ancient trees, heather and bracken. The burning of this peat releases sweet smoke and aromatic spices through the malt and into the whisky, reminiscent of a campfire in a Speyside forest.
Announcing Authenticus 30 year old, Master Blender Rachel Barrie, said: “At the Distillery we pride ourselves on our unconventional distilling philosophy, creating unpeated, peated and triple distilled malt whisky. As the oldest expression in our peated range, we believe Authenticus 30 years old will impress with its distinguished profile. It is a more intense Speyside malt which carries a delightful balance of wild honey and peat on the nose. The combination of the soft, creamy vanilla, summer fruits and a slight hint of cocoa coax the palate, while the infused sweet peat builds gradually to complete the unique character.”
BenRiach Authenticus 30 years old is non chill filtered, bottled at 46%, of natural colour and will be available at specialist retailers worldwide.
BenRiach Peated Range Tasting Notes
BenRiach Authenticus 30 years old
Colour: Polished red wood.
Aroma: A delightful balance of wild honey and peat combine perfectly with a touch of allspice. Distant soft fruits add hints of yellow pear, melon and peach to the sweet, smoky nose.
Taste: An exquisite combination of spiced oak, soft, creamy vanilla and summer fruits with a dusting of cocoa. An infusion of sweet peat reek gently builds, adding an intriguing herbal, smoky contrast to the unique character.
Finish: A fantastic fusion of rich peat and smouldering embers bound together by fresh herbs; oregano, aniseed and chicory. A rush of sweet, wild honey provides a lovely contrast to this lively, intense expression.
ABV: 46%
Awards: Silver – Scottish Field Whisky Summer Challenge 2017
For further information visit: www.benriachdistillery.co.uk
To find out more about responsible consumption, visit Drinkaware.co.uk and OurThinkingAboutDrinking.com.
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