Whisky of the Month (June 2011): Tawny Port Twins

SGwhisky Whisky of the Month (June 2011): BenRiach Tawny Port Twins


As part of SGwhisky's continuing coverage of BenRiach as its whisky of the month, we proudly present to you the first set of the BenRiach Twins, unpeated and peated expressions of BenRiach that have been finished in barrels that contained Tawny Port.

A subset of Port Wines that are native to Portugal, Tawny Port is aged in wooden barrels using a process that exposes them to slow and prolonged oxidation and evaporation called the Solera process. The result is a sweet and medium dry wine.

Name: BenRiach Tawny Port Finish
Distillery: BenRiach (Speyside)
Type: Single Malt Scotch
Age Statement: 15YO
Alc/Vol: 46%


The non-peated version of the Tawny Port BenRiach is a 15YO expression that is known for its sweetness. It was pretty good stuff!

Nose: The Tawny Port sweetness dominates the nose with notes of burnt sugar, vanilla and citrus. Light hints of malt and smokiness (Phenolic?) (21)


Taste/Palate: Rich with a salty and creamy note, with strong hints of maltiness and winey sweetness before the smoke comes in (it's quite prominent for a non-peated expression) (21.5)


Finish: Slightly smoky and sweet with a mouthwatering barley maltiness (22)


Overall: A dram that is balanced in terms of the quality of the offering, but the sweetness of the port may be a bit too overpowering (22) 86.5/100

Name: BenRiach Importanticus Fumosus Tawny Port
Distillery: BenRiach (Speyside)
Type: Single Malt Scotch
Age Statement: 12YO
Alc/Vol: 46%


The peated version of the Tawny Port is slightly younger, but the peat really does add an extra level of powerful influences that really bump it up beyond its unpeated twin. Definitely SGwhisky's personal favourite amongst the twins

Nose: Rich notes of seaweed are paired with a very very smoky sweetness that seems almost like a great marriage of sweet smoke and port influences. Slight notes of alluring saltiness too (22)


Taste/Palate: Rich and malty with note of vanilla before the seaweed and honey baked ham kick in. The sweetness of the port then comes in with notes of berries and some citrus. Balanced, not over intruding (23.5)


Finish: Sweet and smoky with a hint of dry ash. Almost like enjoying a good cut of ham with a glass of fine port (ok that was a bit too... obvious). Hints of light vanilla too! (22)


Overall: Great stuff all round! (23) 90.5/100


Stay tuned next week as we do the Pedro Ximeniez twins for BenRiach!

Found at: Drinks Fellas