The Tasting Panel Day 1
Today marks a special day for The W Club tasting panel. Not only do they get their very own personalised W Club tasting glass but they will also their first whisky to sample.
The first whisky which is on the way via post to them as we speak is the Benriach 1995 17 year old virgin oak. This delicious whisky will then be reviewed on this page in the comments section, where our tasting expert will analyse
the different characteristics which are apparent on the nose, palate and on the finish. The aim of this article is to get an insight into different whiskies from a customer’s perspective and will prove to be informative for all our members.
The tasting panel is limited to ten people so far but this will be extended by a further two members ready for our next sample mail out. If you are interested in joining the tasting panel simply email thewclub@whiskyshop.com
Enjoy the tasting sample and look forward to reading the reviews.
Loading ...
Looking forward to hearing about this one. There’s been some cracking virgin American oak finishes from BenRiach.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. I agree with John, there have been some cracking virgin oak finishes from BenRiach and early indications are this is another.
Nose: Warm fruit cake, sultanas, cinnamon, butterscotch……and a hint of varnish?
Taste: Mouth coating, sweet creamy vanilla, more butterscotch, quite peppery ( not
sure of ABV?) cinnamon, nutmeg and not a hint of that varnish.
Finish: Long finish, lingers in the mouth.
Nose – Caramel, pear drops/ ripe banana, sweet vanilla
Palate – Starts with a tingle on the tongue which develops into a warm smooth mouth feel. Warm caramel with a slight spiciness, light sherry and a hint of vanilla.
Finish – Smooth and warming with hints of pear and vanilla.
This was a lovely dram and an excellent opener to this experience.
Nose – I could sit and sniff this for ages but for me it conjoured up that christmas smell of soaked fruit and mixed spice. There was definitley a hint of vanilla and burnt caramel and occasionally a hint of beef crisps.
Palate – This was fiery on the tongue, quite peppery and paprika, still with that vanilla creeping through.
Finish – A long finish and for me a creamy soft cheese creeps through, a bit like a Brie?
This was a superb expression of Benriach from an innovative distillery. Great first choice for the panel. Here goes:
Nose: complex, a hint of spice and touch of smoke with a sweet vanilla aroma and fruits coming through. Some toffee notes which come through on the palate.
Palate: Smooth honeyed and sweet with toffee popcorn and burnt sugar. The liquid from a creme caramel perhaps? Bursting with tropical fruits and a hint of orange zest.
Finish: Long and warming. Flavour,without water my preference, explodes on the tongue with a surprising dry finish of grape skins and fruit. With water, a more delicate fruity finish.
I really enjoyed this whisky and a great opening dram! I could have sat smelling this for ages – it smelled just like Christmas, especially making christmas cakes, minces pies, vanilla and spices and all things nice! I agree with Chris about the burnt caramel though didn’t quite get as far as beef crisps!
Taste wise it was initially fiery but soon the sweetness came through with honey/maple and slightly nutty tones. The finish was very warm and nice with a sweet spiciness that made me feel very satisfied (and ready for christmas treats and open fires)!
Thank you!
Benriach, 1995 17 Year Old, Cask Strength, Virgin American Oak Aged
Colour: Warm amber
Nose: Strong vanilla, baked apple, cereal, sweet heather honey. (with water: fruit and heather come more to the fore, vanilla becomes more background, but still distinctly present, apples are joined by plum)
Body: Rich and syrupy, mouth coating
Palate: Honey and apples, woody spices, pepper and vanilla. Cereal notes continue through, a general theme of apple crumble (with water: sweetness is softened, becomes less overwhelmingly honeyed, and pepper is thoroughly moderated, more and more so with time in the glass, fruit notes come through more – apple and plum)
Finish: Warm and spicy, long honey and apples (with water: more pepper and warmth, cereal and nutty notes, sweetness is utterly toned down)
Overall: Warmth develops, and sweetness relaxes with time spent in the glass, and a few drops of water allow the flavours to develop in a more balanced manner. Superbly drinkable, and a great summer whisky, none of the flavours are too heavy or laboured, superb follow up to a barbequed steak.
Ben Matthews (littletipple.com)
Benriach 1995 17 yr old
My initial thought as an Islay fan was that I wouldn’t enjoy this one at all. However, yet another example of why you should keep an open mind, as this was lovely.
Nose: Warm, almost firey with sweet tablet and hints of fruit.
Palate: Quite firey(again) and spicy for a second or two then biscuits, but for me just hints of spices and heat.
Finish: Long warm mouthwatering joy! For me the fruit comes through at this point with some spice on the tongue right at the end. Whoa.
What a way to start the tasting panel.
Thanks guys!
Ed
First of all I must apologise for not getting some notes up sooner but this is the first weekend I have had the opportunity to sit down with this whisky.
I have tried two virgin oak finished Benriach single cask offerings in the past and was rather impressed. One was a 1989 (bottled 2011) which if you nosed blind you would have thought it could have been a rye heavy bourbon! The other a 1984 peated (bottled 2011) which was very BBQ saucey, wierd but nice.
Benriach 1995 17 yr old:
Nose: That bourbon aroma I talked about is present again. Vanilla (cliche?!), a feint floral note and cinnamon.
Palate: Fruity but more apple crumble than fresh apples. Vanilla and cinnamon still here but now mingling with toasted spices.
Finish: Peppery for me, as mentioned by Ben. Everything that was on the nose and in the palate is here but lingers on for a good while.
I found that water enhanced the flavours rather than changing them and I felt it was better as a result.
A really good single cask Benriach, this sample will last only minutes more!
I will look forward to the next one as this was a really good opener.
Simon