It had been a while since I got to pen my thoughts on some of my recent acquisitions; family, work and other commitments taking precedence. Missing on the joy and the clickity clackity sounds from hitting the keys on my keyboard re-inspired and brought joy in reliving what a particular whisky had to offer, its character, its soul and the influences it holds from its place of birth.

This week’s review is the Benriach Three Cask Matured 10 YO Single Malt whisky, a Speyside distillery that was built in 1898 by John Duff (yes, the Longmorn dude!). Unfortunately just two years after its establishment came the Pattison Crash – a crash similar to the global recession of 2008, this due to unruly practices by distillers at the time that jacked prices up causing a bubble, ultimately causing the industry to crash and the distillery itself to close.

Time wasn’t dear either, with a series of unconducive events in quick succession – WWI, WW II, the Great Prohibition era that forced the distillery to go dormant; and this largely remained so until the 1960s. The distillery did however “lend” their floor maltings to the Longmorn distillery, producing and transporting malted barley to the latter. Things did change for the better with time, ownership moved over to the Glenlivet group – renovated now, the stills were lit once again and whisky began to be distilled by 1965.

This 10 YO spirit isn’t the Original 10 YO but a travel exclusive release that is distilled thrice and matured in a combination of casks, virgin oak, Pedro Xiemenes and ex-bourbon casks. Being a Speyside, whiskies from the distillery aren’t traditionally triple distilled but in the 1990s, the distillery introduced the additional distillation for a few batches and this continues to be a tradition they now follow once a year.

ABV : 43%

Eye : Amontillado sherry | Natural Colouring

Nose : Vanilla, some citrus zest and custard, with the introduction of raisins, caramel and figs. Traces of red apples, and caramelised banana, with spice of green pepper,  earthiness, woody and some cinnamon

Taste : Soft vanilla with floral undertones, stone fruits, rum and dried fruits, cream infused with raisins and red apples, with nfluenxes coming of the oak.

Finish : Soft vanilla and raisin with faint hints of plums | Short to medium

This Benriach is very subtle and soft on the nose, but with time it begins to divulge a wide array of fruity and sweet notes. The palate was feeble with less of a say, but with a decent breadth of flavours. The finish was shorter than I expected, too. But being a triple distilled whisky, I’m not too surprised but I do find it a bit weak for my liking. But for this type of genre, if I were to compare apples with apples, it does not disappoint and fares better than many others.

The Triple Cask has a touch of influence from each of its casks, and is a great introduction to the world of whisky – delicate, sweet, with good complexity. At 43%, it isn’t harsh at all  but could do with a splash of water should one find it too sharp. Being travel retail, it might be difficult to procure and at AUD $110, it is a tad above average.

Slainte!