Benrinnes 2011/2022 Adelphi Selection 11 years old Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky 56,2%

Adelphi's nosing panel has Charles MacLean at the head of the table, and they say no to far more casks than they say yes to. Cask no. 305256 got through — and you can taste why in the nose alone.

The expert's description

Benrinnes 2011/2022 Adelphi Selection 11 years is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottled as a single cask at 56.2 % full cask strength.

Cask no. 305256 was filled in 2011 and emptied in 2022, yielding 341 bottles. The whisky is neither chill filtered nor coloured, and Adelphi bottle, as always, without reduction.

Adelphi was revived as an independent bottler in 1993 and today owns Ardnamurchan Distillery on the west Highland peninsula of the same name. Casks are selected by a nosing panel chaired by whisky writer Charles MacLean, and only a fraction of the casks tasted reach the bottle.

Tasting notes

Nose

Powerful and malty with baked apple, cinnamon sugar and a touch of melted butter. The alcohol takes up space at first but settles quickly.

Palate

Intense and oily. Barley, honey and peppery spice gather around a core of yellow fruit. Water loosens it up and draws out vanilla.

Finish

Long and warm with toasted grain, nutmeg and a dry oak conclusion.

Specifications

Name: Benrinnes 2011/2022 Adelphi Selection 11 years old Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky 56.2%
Distillery: Benrinnes
Bottler: Adelphi Selection
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 11 years
ABV: 56.2 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Single Cask, cask no. 305256
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 2011
Bottled: 2022
Number of bottles: 341
EAN no.: 5060383652550

Flavour profile

Cask strength · Malty · Spicy · Fruity · Intense

Did you know?

Adelphi originally began as a distillery in Glasgow in 1826 and closed in 1902. The name lay dormant for nearly a century before the great-grandson of the last owner revived it as a bottling house.

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Frequently asked questions about Benrinnes 2011/2022 Adelphi Selection 11 years old Single Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky 56.2%

Who is Charles MacLean and why does he matter here?

He is one of Scotland's best known whisky writers and chairman of Adelphi's tasting panel. The panel assesses every cask blind, and its rejection rate has given Adelphi a reputation for unusually consistent bottlings.

How strong is 56.2 % in practice?

Noticeably stronger than a standard bottling at 40 to 46 %, but far from the top end. The whisky can easily be drunk neat, and it also takes a few drops of water without falling apart.

What is a Single Cask?

A bottling from one individual cask. There is no vatting, no adjustment and no way to recreate it — what the cask gave is what you get, and the next cask will be different.

Does it suit someone who likes powerful unpeated whisky?

Yes. There is no smoke, but plenty of intensity from the cask strength and an active bourbon leaning cask. If that is your style, there is more to explore under Speyside Whisky.

Why are Adelphi labels so plain?

Because they want the attention on the contents. The label states distillery, cask number, vintage and strength, and then it stops. No fantasy names, no stories about moonlight over the heather.

How does Benrinnes taste without sherry?

More grainy and malty, with baked fruit and spice instead of raisin and fig. The distillery's heavy texture is still obvious — the mouthfeel itself is what defines Benrinnes, not the cask.