BenRiach The Twelve 12 years old Single Speyside Malt Whisky 70 cl 46%

Sherry first, bourbon and port after in smaller measures. It is a classic recipe, and The Twelve is the BenRiach take on what a Speyside malt should taste like when nobody is trying to surprise anyone.

The expert's description

BenRiach The Twelve 12 years is a Single Speyside Malt Whisky matured predominantly in sherry casks with a smaller share of bourbon casks and port casks and bottled at 46 %.

The bottling is the classic one in the core range of the house. The sherry carries the whisky with dark fruit and nut, the bourbon wood gives bright sweetness and vanilla, and the port casks lay a fruity edge on top without taking room from the sherry.

Forty-two years after the 1965 restart, BenRiach only became a brand in its own right in 2004. The Twelve belongs to the generation of bottlings assembled by Rachel Barrie after 2016, when the range was reshaped and built around fixed age steps.

Tasting notes

Nose

Maple honey, cocoa and baked forest fruit.

Palate

Cherry, baked orange and hazelnut with a lingering sultana note.

Finish

Spiced mocha with a long, warm close.

Specifications

Name: BenRiach The Twelve 12 år
Distillery: BenRiach
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Speyside Malt Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 46 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Predominantly sherry casks with bourbon casks and port casks
Edition: The Twelve 12 år
EAN no.: 5060399687188

Flavour profile

Sherry matured · Fruity · Nutty · Spiced · Soft

Did you know?

BenRiach runs three pairs of stills and can produce unpeated, peated and triple distilled spirit in the same plant. Triple distillation is otherwise best known from Ireland and from the Scottish Lowlands.

See our full range of BenRiach Whisky

Listen to our podcast:

Frequently asked questions about BenRiach The Twelve 12 år

What does predominantly sherry matured mean?

That most of the whisky lay in sherry casks, while smaller shares come from bourbon and port wood. The sherry sets the base note and the other two adjust it.

Is it peated?

No. The Twelve is built on the unpeated spirit of the distillery. If you want smoke, look at the Smoky Twelve, which is the same age but an entirely different whisky.

What separates this from The Original Ten?

Two years and a different cask composition. Original Ten is brighter and fresher with virgin oak in the mix, while The Twelve is heavier, more sherried and deeper in fruit.

What is sultana?

A pale raisin made from green grapes. It turns up often in tasting notes because it describes a sweetness lighter and fruitier than the dark raisin from Oloroso casks.

Does it need water?

At 46 per cent it is ready to drink. Pour it into a whisky glass and let it stand five minutes, and the fruit opens by itself.

Does it work as a gift?

Yes. It is approachable enough for someone who does not drink whisky daily, and the sherry character is clear enough that an experienced drinker has something to engage with.