Benrinnes – 21 Year Old 2002 Hogshead Vintage Reserve (70cl, 46.3%)

This is a 21-year-old Benrinnes from 2002, matured in a hogshead and bottled at 46.3% in a 70cl bottle. It belongs to the Vintage Reserve collection of long-aged, distillate-forward malts. Benrinnes has largely supplied blends. From 1974 to the mid-2000s it used a partial triple-distillation process, and this whisky was made in that period, which accounts for its fruit-forward, honeyed character. The nose brings orchard fruits, honey and buttered toast. The palate is oily and rich, with banana bread and sticky toffee pudding, and the medium finish carries dusty sweet spices.