Benriach The Sixteen returned to the Speyside distiller’s core line-up when it was relaunched this previous February, ending a hiatus that started in 2016. Aged for—you guessed it—no less than 16 years in bourbon, sherry, and virgin oak casks, it’s bottled at a reasonable 43% ABV and fills within the lacking house between Benriach The Twelve and Benriach The Twenty One.
The nostril is earthy and candy, all honey and apples with earthy malt smoke within the distance. It proves spherical and luscious on the palate with its orchard fruit flavors presenting first. These notes sweeten in direction of the again like apples rolled in brown sugar and caramel to a end that’s remarkably candy and closes with a contact of ginger spice and a whiff of smoke, organising a delightful distinction at its prolonged end.
Benriach The Sixteen is a lush, rolling delight of a whisky, about as candied as a scotch will be with out relinquishing its malty robustness or complexity. It’s one thing I wouldn’t thoughts for dessert, significantly after a savory meal.
★★★★
Stats:
—43% ABV
—$115
