Benriach 1966/2021 55 Year Old 1st Fill American Hogshead #607 - Gordon & MacPhail Dram Takers Collection (70cl, 51.2%)

This Benriach was distilled in 1966 and matured for 55 years in first-fill American hogshead 607. Gordon & MacPhail bottled it in 2021 at 51.2% as a single cask for the Dram Takers Collection, in an edition of 52 bottles. It is non-chill-filtered and of natural colour. The collection features single malts from distilleries with a particular place in Scottish whisky history, and its labels borrow the illustrative style of the medieval Book of Kells, showing two Dram Takers raising a glass together. The nose starts with sweet honey, waxy red apple and lemon peel, followed by spice, coffee fudge, apricot and oak. The palate is soft and sweet, with orange marmalade, roasted nuts, aniseed, charred oak and a touch of menthol. The finish is medium in weight, with lively citrus fruit.