Benrinnes 1984

21 year old Speyside 57.8 % vol

1 of only 576 bottles from cask 146

Another 'Top Class' malt, Benrinnes is a famously big and robust Speyside, so is not completely dominated by 'sherrywood' maturation, although it is not commonly found in first-fill butts like this. As might be expected the first nose is of brimstone and raw egg yolk, fading to crème caramel. There is a trace of sherry, and then soft, sticky ginger bread as the sulphur blows off. Water brings it back again for a time, in the familiar guise of match-box striker, but soon the ginger bread returns. The initial taste is sweet and thick, then dries out as the tannins engage the middle of the palate. Somewhat mouth-cooling in effect, but causing the tongue to tingle, and leaving a spicy aftertaste, with traces of cloves.

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