BenRiach Authenticus 30 Year Old
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
46% ABV

Nose: Subtly smoldering peat smoke – brine-soaked samphire – raisins and sultanas steeped in bourbon – baked spiced apples – orange peel – poached pears drizzled with honey – aniseed twists – Madagascan vanilla pods – mixed spice – warm treacle – M&S chocolate truffles – espresso coffee and Café Crème cigarillos.

Palate: Swathes of seductive peat smoke – blackberry coulis – vanilla-rich crème brûlée – bread pudding – baked peaches – Cadbury’s Old Jamaica chocolate bar – aniseed twists – sweet oak – stewed black builder’s tea and the subtlest suggestions of five spice.

Finish: A decadently delicious, deep, dark, lingering finish that just keeps on delivering!

Summary: It’s always a genuine thrill to sip and savour a Speysider that pays homage to its peated past, and this latest release from BenRiach, which is punctuated perfectly by a punch of peat, is certainly no exception.

I would urge everyone to give this one a whirl if they can, but if £400 is beyond your bottle budget—heck, it’s certainly beyond mine—keep your eyes peeled for a BenRiach stand at your next whisky festival, where you might just be lucky enough to be able to try a sample. Failing that, and for just under £40, you could grab a bottle of their phenol-mellow peated Curiositas 10 Year Old.

Releases from the BenRiach Distillery seem to be coming thick and fast at the moment. Here’s hoping that they remain purposeful and don’t become a churn of all things filler and no killer.