Benrinnes 2013/2023 Lady of the Glen 10 years old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 57,8%

Tawny port is an old and nutty affair — years in wood, where the fruit has dried down to fig and caramel. Let a heavy Speyside mature in one of those casks and something happens that sherry cannot deliver.

The expert's description

Benrinnes 2013/2023 Lady of the Glen 10 years is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a first fill Tawny Port cask and bottled at 57.8 % cask strength.

Cask no. 300746 was filled on 15 January 2013 and emptied on 14 April 2023. The release yielded 282 bottles and is neither chill filtered nor coloured.

Lady of the Glen was founded in 2012 by Gregor Hannah and is run from Fife. The house bottles single casks at cask strength only and seeks out casks from closed distilleries or casks with an unusual expression — one such as this.

Tasting notes

Nose

Red berries, dried fig and a touch of rose petal. The port gives a sweet, almost perfumed nose sitting on top of the dryness of the malt.

Palate

Full bodied and sweet with cherry, walnut and dark caramel. The 57.8 % brings warmth, and a clear tannin edge from the port cask runs through the middle.

Finish

Long with dried fruit, cocoa and a lightly bitter nuttiness.

Specifications

Name: Benrinnes 2013/2023 Lady of the Glen 10 years old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 57.8%
Distillery: Benrinnes
Bottler: Lady of the Glen
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 57.8 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: First fill Tawny Port cask, cask no. 300746
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distilled: 15/01/2013
Bottled: 14/04/2023
Number of bottles: 282
Edition: Limited Edition

Flavour profile

Port matured · Sweet · Berries · Nutty · Cask strength

Did you know?

Tawny port matures in wood until the colour shifts from red to golden brown — hence the name. A 20 year old tawny can have rested so long that the cask, once filled with whisky, is already deeply marked by dried fruit.

See our full range of Benrinnes
See our full range of Lady of the Glen

Listen to our podcast:

Frequently asked questions about Benrinnes 2013/2023 Lady of the Glen 10 years old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 57.8%

What does a port cask do to whisky?

It adds red berries, dried fruit and a light tannin edge. Tawny port gives more nut and caramel than the younger, darker red ports, so the result is less sweet and more complex than many expect.

Who is behind Lady of the Glen?

Gregor Hannah, who founded the company in 2012 and runs it from Fife. He bottles single casks at full cask strength only, without chill filtration and without colouring, and the house has repeatedly won awards as Scotland's best independent bottler.

Is it sweet?

There is clear sweetness from the port cask, but it is not cloying. Tannin and nuttiness cut through, and the heavy core of the spirit gives it structure.

How many bottles are there?

282 from that single cask. Lady of the Glen never bottle in large outturns, and every release is effectively a one-off.

Does it suit dessert?

Very well. Try it with chocolate mousse, cherry cake or a plate of dried fruit and nuts. The berry notes in the whisky meet the dessert without fighting it.

How do I find similar whisky?

Look for releases with port, red wine or madeira finishes. There is a broad field to explore under Speyside Whisky.