Benrinnes – 14 Year Old 2009/2023 Cask Noir: Ruthrie The Wanderer in Medoc (70cl, 57.6%)

This Benrinnes was distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2023 at 14 years old, as part of the Cask Noir series from Brave New Spirits. It comes from a single first-fill Château Pontansac red wine barrique from the Médoc. The cask yielded 262 bottles at 57.6%. The whisky is non-chill-filtered and has no added colour. Dark berry fruit on the nose comes with oak and spicy herbs. The palate is full, with red wine fruit, vanilla and gentle spice. The long finish is warming, with a touch of dry wood.