BenRiach – Smoke Season 2021 (75cl, 52.8%)

BenRiach Smoke Season is a Speyside single malt bottled at 52.8% in a 75cl bottle. It is the distillery's peatiest release to date, distilled at 45ppm during the annual seasonal peated run, and this is the 2021 edition. The whisky was matured in first-fill bourbon barrels together with a high proportion of charred and toasted American virgin oak. It is non-chill-filtered and of natural colour. Tasting notes mention caramel smoke, oak spice and citrus peel on the nose. The palate brings smoked dark vanilla, seared apple and cinnamon, leading to a sweet, smoky finish with charred orange.