Benriach The Twenty One – Four Cask Matured

This 21 year old Speyside single malt is a great example of what makes Benriach so distinctive. The Twenty One matures across four different cask types: bourbon, sherry, virgin oak and red wine. The interplay between these woods creates a whisky that is both refined and expressive, offering layers that reveal themselves gradually. None of the casks dominate; instead they work together to build a rich, vibrant and inviting profile.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Ripe fruits such as peach and apple, followed by soft honey, vanilla and a touch of grape skin. The sherry and red wine influence adds warm raisin notes and gentle spice, supported by subtle underlying oak.

Palate

Full and layered with toffee, stewed fruit, creamy vanilla and a hint of dark chocolate. The virgin oak brings extra structure and spice, while the bourbon casks contribute a mellow sweetness. A touch of red fruit adds a fresh lift.

Finish

Long and warming with soft tannins, sweet oak, light chocolate bitterness and a lingering fruity glow.

Benriach Distillery

Benriach Distillery is located in the heart of the Speyside region, near the town of Elgin in Moray. Founded in 1898 by John Duff, Benriach has a rich history marked by both periods of closure and revival. Since reopening in 1965, Benriach has established itself as a producer of high-quality single malt whiskies.

A unique feature of Benriach is its diversity in production processes. The distillery produces both peated and unpeated whiskies, which is rare in the Speyside region. This gives Benriach a wide range of flavour profiles, from smoky and robust to refined and fruity. The distillery uses water from nearby Burnside Springs, which contributes to the purity of their whisky.

Benriach whiskies are known for their complexity and depth, with notes of honey, vanilla, fruit and a hint of spice. Maturation takes place in a variety of casks, including ex-bourbon, sherry, rum and wine casks, ensuring a rich and layered flavour experience.

The combination of traditional techniques, innovation and a beautiful location makes Benriach a respected name in the world of Scotch single malt whisky.