Stronachie 10 y.o. (70cl, 43%)

Stronachie 10 Year Old is a single malt from Benrinnes in Speyside, bottled by A.D. Rattray. The brand was revived from an original 1904 bottle, and Benrinnes was chosen after a sample from it was compared with other malts. It does not come from the Stronachie distillery, which closed long ago. The whisky matures for at least ten years in ex-bourbon casks. For each small batch, A.D. Rattray selects about 20 casks and marries them before bottling at 43% in a 70cl bottle. Gentle honey, earthy heather and malty sweetness show on the nose. The palate is smooth, with rich honey and biscuits, then lingering pepper and grain. The finish is soft and balanced.