Benrinnes 17 yo 1995 / 2012 Signatory #5883 50.4% vs Benrinnes 20 yo 1997 / 2017 SMWS 36.153 The Lightness of Lyne 60.6%
Benrinnes 17 yo 1995 / 2012 Signatory #5883 50.4%
Mid 90s Benrinnes is underrated I think. Take this simple Signatory, blind one might be forgiven for thinking Mortlach. It’s has yellow fruit, thin honey, some fat greasy elements, pine wood and petitgrain, but due to its unique distillation there always seems to be a savoury burnt edge not unlike sulphur. Here it appears as charred herbs and bacon fat, maybe some burnt paper. Overall the sensation of grilling tinned peaches on a blazing fire is unavoidable. Big boned and flavourful. 87 pts
Benrinnes 20 yo 1997 / 2017 SMWS 36.153 The Lightness of Lyne 60.6%
A number of 97s have been excellent in my glass. This too, does not disappoint. It is full of hot wax, hot chalk tinned peach again and thick honey. Sweet effervescent toffee crunch. Big whisky for sure. Sweet with exotic spice like paprika or tumeric. And on the palate a weighty stewed meat rears its hammy steamy head again, sprinkled with a bit of burnt sage and thyme. One of a mere handful of contenders that can match Mortlach in weight. 88 pts
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