Benrinnes 2006/2017 Berry Bros 10 years old Single Cask Speyside Malt Whisky 70 cl 46%

One cask, ten years, and one of London's oldest wine merchants as the sender. Berry Bros & Rudd have traded spirits from the same address on St James's Street since 1698, and their whisky range shows the hand of people who have had plenty of time to learn how to taste.

The expert's description

Benrinnes 2006/2017 Berry Bros 10 years is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a single cask and bottled at 46 %.

Cask no. 309927 was filled in 2006 and emptied in 2017 for Berry's Own Selection. The whisky is neither chill filtered nor coloured, and 46 % was chosen because that strength keeps the texture intact without drowning the spirit.

Ten years is long enough for the heavy Benrinnes distillate to settle its fruit and vanilla, but not so long that the oak takes over. The distillery's own character stands at the front here — which is precisely the point of a single cask.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh pear, lemon peel and vanilla custard. Underneath sits a lightly waxy note and a hint of freshly cut grain.

Palate

Oily and malty with yellow apples, honeydew melon and a sprinkle of white pepper. The 46 % gives a fine mouthfeel without burning.

Finish

Medium long, clean and lightly spiced with malt biscuit and a touch of citrus oil.

Specifications

Name: Benrinnes 2006/2017 Berry Bros 10 years old Single Cask Speyside Malt Whisky 70 cl 46%
Distillery: Benrinnes
Bottler: Berry Bros & Rudd
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 46 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Single Cask, cask no. 309927
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2006
Bottled: 2017
Edition: Berry's Own Selection

Flavour profile

Fruity · Fresh · Malty · Vanilla · Clean

Did you know?

Berry Bros & Rudd still trade from their original shop on St James's Street in London, where the floor visibly slopes. For centuries the firm weighed its customers on a coffee scale — Lord Byron is in the books.

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Frequently asked questions about Benrinnes 2006/2017 Berry Bros 10 years old Single Cask Speyside Malt Whisky 70 cl 46%

What does Single Cask mean?

That the entire bottling comes from one single cask, without vatting with others. It makes every release unique, because no two casks develop identically, even when filled on the same day with the same spirit.

How does a 10 year old Benrinnes taste?

Fruity and malty with yellow apple, pear and vanilla. The distillery's heavy, oily character is clear, but it has not yet been wrapped in oak, so what you taste is the spirit itself.

What is Berry's Own Selection?

It is Berry Bros & Rudd's own range of independent bottlings. The house buys single casks from Scottish distilleries and bottles them under its own name with the distillery, cask number and vintage clearly stated.

Which glass shows it best?

A tulip-shaped glass gathers the aroma and makes the fruit clearer. A Glencairn whisky glass is the industry standard for exactly that reason.

Does it work with food?

It goes well with mild cheeses and with apple or pear desserts. The fruit in the whisky meets the fruit on the plate, and the 46 % cuts through the richness without dominating.

Should I add water?

Try it neat first. At 46 % it is already approachable, but a single drop of water can lift the citrus notes. Ice will close down the fruit and may make the whisky slightly hazy, since it is not chill filtered.