BenRiach – 12 Years Old (Older Edition) (70cl, 40%)

This is a 12 year old single malt from BenRiach, a Speyside distillery founded in 1898 near Elgin. It comes from the earlier presentation of the 12 Years Old, before the range was reworked, and is bottled at 40% in a 70cl bottle. It has a lighter, floral and citrus character, with lemon, grapefruit, honey, vanilla and herbal notes, and a delicate touch of peat smoke and spice. The nose is delicate and perfumed, with lemon, grapefruit, marshmallow, honey, eucalyptus and moss. On the palate it is fresh and lively, with lime, kumquat, creamy vanilla, mint and heather honey, then walnut and pepper. The finish is medium to fairly short, with spicy warmth, slightly bitter citrus, soft wood and a little peat smoke at the end.