Crafted with a recipe developed by Master Blender Dr. Rachel Barrie, Benriach Smoke Season Single Malt Scotch is the most heavily peated expression from Benriach to date. It is matured in a combination of bourbon barrels and American virgin oak, bottled at 52.8% ABV and non-chill filtered.
It’s noticeably less minerally than last year’s release, but it’s also noticeably more fruity with a heavy leaning towards the banana side of things. In fact, if I had to sum it up in three words they would be “smoked banana taffy”.
The smoke on the palate is more akin to sweet pipe tobacco and burnt marshmallows, with hints of dark chocolate, orange zest, thyme, rosemary, and a touch of clove. The finish is long and slightly spicy with a medium smoke level.
A sip gave me a quite silken mouthfeel, and a stronger presence than what the aroma brought out. The malty, honeyed sweetness continued, developing a note of green apples. This is fast subsumed, however, by a rising tide of earthy, unflavored but creamy oatmeal; and a mild, but nonetheless bitter wave of smoke
