ralfy review 798 - Benriach 10yo @ 43%vol:

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[@sourdubb755]

came back to my benriach 10 tonight (2022), only 1/4 left in the bottle. All i can smell is some really sugar cotted honey, i get more yellow fruits then before , not that pronounced. Easy to sip on a sunday night, i still like it.

[@fuckyounotme1]

My friend is a salesman for the company sells it here the states. He recomended this to me and I really enjoyed it.

[@mcep]

Very satisfying to hear you make that connection to Old Pultney. I wasn't hallucinating that. Old Pultney is still a crazy wonderful value and at a slightly lower price point here in the States. Yay.

[@l.s.1709]

Regarding bitterness: I was a beer enthusiast before getting back into whisky. In the world of craft beers there are a lot of IPAs where brewers compete against eachother to use massive amounts of hops and these can get extremely bitter, and beer nerds therefore develop a love for bitterness. Same goes for sour beers which can have extreme acidity. Compared to such beers, the bitterness and sourness in whisky is "child's play", the only thing beer nerds need to develop is getting used to the high ABV.

[@mrvinyl-mrchili9583]

No color added to this.. I found this bottle yesterday on sale. My first benriach an have to say i was blown away. For a 10 yo its crazy good an complex. I will check out some more benriach for sure! But for me 86 is too low 89/90 for me

[@angelicalaga2957]

Thanks, Ralfy. I am happy you are the first doing this stuff on youtube. Kisses and hugs from a single malt lover from Greece.

[@jesseregenauer630]

Found a variant of this today (Feb 26, 2021) 10 year BenRiach that states on bottle as non-chill filtered & natural colour. I find this malt to be very attractive in it's flavor & sensation profile. Sweet fruity sour right up front and a very pleasant oaky mild bitterness when tasted neat. After adding some local bottled spring water the sweetness definitely pops out as does indeed the sour. There's a distinct and very pleasant cereal note on the palate that I just love. Very nice review and very glad I picked this bottle up earlier tonight..... SLAINTE!

[@danyal2]

Life goal achieved! As many others have also said ... haha! Cheers Ralf, you made my rest of the year.

[@stevebrown6623]

danyal2 Congrats!

[@roger1965100]

I bought a £450 bottle of "Auld Boaby" on Ebay recently. The advert said it would only appeal to absolute "dobbers", which I believe is the correct term for a whisky specialist. I liked the traditional pattern on the box, which consisted of a man playing bagpipes in a green and white hooped football shirt : "Ha-way, ya dobber, ya !" is emblazoned on the label. On opening the whisky, I was amazed by its taste. It was advertised as "uniquely sweet and refreshing" and was extremely similar to cold tea, so I am pleased with the uniquness. However, I drank two large glasses and could feel no alcoholic effect whatsoever. I especially liked the individual gift card, which read " Ya great dobber, ya!!' and included a photograph of the distiller, laughing wildly at the camera, waving £450 and raising his cup of tea to me in friendship. Two of his friends were also in the photograph, both smiling widely and toasting my good health with a cup of tea. I am not sure if I will buy any more "Auld Boaby", as nobody else seems to have heard of it, but will put it down to experience on my journey to becoming a great wallopping dobber.

[@tavuzzipust7887]

In review 664 of July 2017 it scored 88.

[@aliante12si]

Love that drink. Like the best non-lemon-ice-tea on earth. The bitter note distinguishes this whiskey. Interesting, refreshing, aromatic, rounded.

[@kevinaldred9576]

👌Brilliant review cheers Ralfy. Had ordered a few Drinks By The Dram from MoM and Benriach 10 was one of them. So i duly joined you to share the malt moment. Definitely something different to what other malts I have nosed & tasted. Bang you got it spot on the bitterness that wasn’t unpleasant but intriguing. Add that splash of water & the bitterness subsides & the other sensations wean through. No other reviewers can match the experience or the knowledge in your posts (in my humble opinion 😊)

[@flamethrower5322]

I like this very much. More than some other more expensive whiskys.

[@danandrews8102]

Hey Ralfy. We just got back from a long weekend in Inverness, I’m amazed it took us so long to visit Scotland when we live just below in England. We stayed up in Inverness and visited the surrounding areas such as Loch Ness, Fort Augustus and the Cairngorms. What an amazing, foreboding and majestic landscape. We was all left speechless at what we saw. Naturally we visited a distillery or two, including as we was driving back down the A9 to England, Dalwhinnie. While in the distillery shop I picked up a bottle of Inchgower 14 year old. I’m yet to open it but would love to see your thoughts on it. We are already planning our next trip back up to Scotland. What an amazing place, have a great day my friend!

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . glad you enjoyed your visit !

[@wijtzeheinvanderveen]

I have this independent bottling by James MacArthur “Old Masters” series, 14 yo, natural colour, not chill filtered, at 54%. Matured in Bourbon Casks. Probably less bitter than then this version Ralfy is describing, the bourbon sweetness is quite prominent. But is absolutely gorgeous, and an integrity malt. Definitely worth trying if you come across it.

[@maltymission]

I really enjoyed a 2005-2016 11 yo single cask and their curiositas peated 10 yo is a really good alternative for the Islay peatmonsters, as the highland peat brings a really distinctive flavor to the spirit

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

I think BenRiach is one of those malts which gets better the older it gets. Not true for many others such as Caol Ila or Talisker, that reach a sweet spot and then start to taste stale. BenRiach starts a bit bitter/sour but really come into its own at around 16 Years where the bitterness mellows, becoming part of the body, and the whisky becomes sweeter and more complex. As it gets even older, it just keeps getting better. I'd say Balblair and Benrinnes are in this "Older is Sweeter" catagory as well.

[@JimmyLeg]

That's good to know Reb. I only have the Curiositas, I'll keep an eye out for an older expression.

[@scotchgod8478]

Benriach had a really nice variety of bottlings some years ago with sherry, port , rum etc. Too bad most of it disappeared from the shelves. I used to think this distillery was done meanwhile.

[@bigbearddahuzi1036]

The Benriach 12 is a sherried whisky. It is pretty good. Their peated release is pretty tasty too. Haven't seen/tried the rum/port

[@markcroft1303]

I love trying to guess the malt mark when hes rummaging through the cards. I guessed 83 so I was 3 out. Better luck next review.

[@roger1965100]

I bought a £450 bottle of "Auld Boaby" on Ebay recently. The advert said it would only appeal to absolute "dobbers", which I believe is the correct term for a whisky specialist. I liked the traditional pattern on the box, which consisted of a man playing bagpipes in a green and white hooped football shirt : "Ha-way, ya dobber, ya !" is emblazoned on the label. On opening the whisky, I was amazed by its taste. It was advertised as "uniquely sweet and refreshing" and was extremely similar to cold tea, so I am pleased with the uniquness. However, I drank two large glasses and could feel no alcoholic effect whatsoever. I especially liked the individual gift card, which read " Ya great dobber, ya!!' and included a photograph of the distiller, laughing wildly at the camera, waving £450 and raising his cup of tea to me in friendship. Two of his friends were also in the photograph, both smiling widely and toasting my good health with a cup of tea. I am not sure if I will buy any more "Auld Boaby", as nobody else seems to have heard of it, but will put it down to experience on my journey to becoming a great wallopping dobber.

[@amtgmail7747]

This has been my favorite single malt for almost 3 years now. Truly one of the best out there at an affordable price point.

[@davidowen2834]

The 12 yrs old sherry wood (not the new version) from Benriach was a very good (in my opinion ) whisky indeed.

[@whiskeygrunt772]

Benriach 12 Sherry is awesome. I will be keeping that on hand for as long as they make it

[@iancrombie8862]

I tried new version...was rather underwhelmong in flavour department!Shame,expected to be very impressed.Goid but not great!!🥃🥃😬

[@Matt-gf4gd]

I feel like a lot of glendronach's "fuss" stems from its notoriously older whisky that it was (15) and is (18,21) bottling in it's age stated bottlings... That's largely why I've snagged their bottles. The 18 is currently 21+ year old whiskey... It's also pretty good and bottled at proper proof.

[@normcoury4325]

Gotta' hand it to the Ralfmeister here: his tip about 15 min. and some water really works on this BenRiach. After really liking my first few drams, a week later I found it acerbic/acidic/tannic (I dunno', some kinda' unpleasant alco bite), but patience and water really rewards you here. Got it on sale for 25 euros, and for the patient thief it's a real steal.

[@GuppyCzar]

One of my local stores is possibly getting a BenRaich exclusive cask bottling. I may have to give it a go!

[@rbaddict2947]

I think this scotch goes really well with fresh fruit like honey doo melon or pineapple. Honestly, despite it's flaws, I think it's a nice change of pace from the overly sherried or overly peated scotches. And for only $43 on sale where I live, worth every penny. Thanks Ralfy for another fun review. Learning more every video I watch!!!

[@grantgallagher8592]

I am a little confused bu the Benriach offerings here in NJ in the USA, in 2022. There are the one you are reviewing here and a partner "Curiositas" peated 10yo (black carton). Then there are the shorter carton, pastel shades 10, 10 peated, 12 and 12 peated, all of which have Ms Barrie's name front and centre. I can find any insight into this online, so I'm wondering if you can help? I just bought the the 10yo Curiositas but haven't tasted yet. Previously I had the pastel lilac "Smokey 12" which was just delicious and as you say here, took a while to get into, but was very subtle and complex, changing as it went down the bottle. Thanks again for all you do, G.

[@garrettjanssen7683]

The famous wine importer, Kermit Lynch, actually prefers not to list out the descriptors because a wine evolves so frequently that tasting notes are transient. I think this can apply to whisky to an extent, and so I prefer to pay attention to the sensations, the structure, and the behavior of the tannins rather then create a grocery list of identified flavors. Have you come across Westland American Single Malt? The American Oak is my favorite of their range and they make some seriously impressive whisky. Very craft oriented distillation from the local barley they source to the Belgian yeast they ferment with. They'd be right up your alley.

[@mickodonnell2530]

Westland!! Great call.

[@garrettjanssen7683]

@@mickodonnell2530 sipping some now, and I have to remind myself it's not particularly old whisky. The distillery tour was good fun and the staff was very generous

[@MkUltra75]

I have bottle of Benriach 25 Autenthicus and it's a Outstanding dram, Slainte

[@mindtwister1984]

Sweet, sourish, barley and oak finish. I like it at this price point.

[@kareliask]

Had a good Carn Mor version of this recently (7 or 8 years I think), one of the most distinctively flavoured malts, always a refreshing charm, sometimes with an almost sherbet taste to my palate

[@dextercool]

Under -rated, even by myself till lately - but sipping along with Ralfy, it is possible to break open this whiskey - it's a real diamond in the rough; on first encounters, it is just sour, bitter - but adding water and really closely pay attention I can see there is hidden beauty in the whisky. Always liked the peated BenRiach, now its unpeated introverted brother is also very engaging.

[@iancrombie8862]

Shame about the rebranding,preferred the old style..think the product has maybe suffered a bit as a result....

[@ericgilbert8114]

Hey RaIfy, I have to re subscribed after each notification during the last four weeks, get your shit together KZbin. Now back to the important issue of whisky. When I ready took whisky seriously especially the Scotch definition between 2006-09 I jumped from the import beer craze and importantly the Trappist, Flanders and Iambic style ales. I really gravitated towards these unique and geeky distilleries. Can't say why, other that I was a far gone geek going in.

[@petersambol]

Only had the chance to try their other 10 YO old whisky which is called Curiositas and it's peated Speysider. All the integrity malt treats like 46% ABV, non chill filtered and natural color. I thought it was rather good. Would be interesting to know if they use same spirit for both. Cheers Ralfy.

[@calvinwade2751]

Ive tried a few peated benriachs, all of which were extremely delectable

[@russell3733]

Yep, the peated BenRiachs are wonderful Highland expressions. The starter, the 10yo Curiositas, is a solidly good and yet easy-going peated malt which is excellent to get a flight of peated whiskies off the ground. The old, discontinued 17yo Septendecim was a beautifully complex expression, matured predominantly in ex-bourbon casks, superbly balanced, as is the 25yo Authenticus, which I fear has also gone the same way as the Septendecim - discontinued. I haven't seen it around for quite some time now. But it's possible that a 21yo and a 30yo may have replaced these expressions from 2016. At any rate, the 25yo Authenticus is truly a rare joy - perfect balance of distillery character, peat and the casks. It lacks for nothing. Cheers!

[@scottyblog]

It’s sour and bitter like many of the bespoke older whiskies from yesteryear. And it’s actually got some qualities of many Irish drams. Usually older Irish drams.

[@martywong822]

It said Natural Color on the label. Top label at the right on the bottle. The last batch of Benriach 10 also have an unchill filtered statement, not anymore. I love Benriah whisky, but certainly don't want them to chill filter the whisky. The new Curiositas is also at 46%, but the natural color and unchill filtered statement is gone. This is certainly a bad direction Benriach is heading to, probably the stupid act of marketing department.

[@sandsmine]

thought id share a story about six months ago. met my bro in law and we went into an establishment where the drinks are rock bottom cheap but the service is well.... I ordered a single malt and a jamesons. about five minutes after being seated the girl clearing glasses came to our table and poured my single malt into the jamesons and went away with the glass. I cracked up

[@bernardmulligan5504]

Excited about this review's extras

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . I'm sharing the craft !

[@alyr9640]

Happy Malty Monday Dear Sir! Getting out the 📝 in preparation for the extras! Till then, feasgar math!

[@digitaldemocracyai-rob]

BenRiach 17PX is the malt I am most familiar with having sunk 4 bottles. It's a daunting dram.....and have found my hand shake as I raised the glass to mouth. A firm kick in the face followed by cherry and toffee. These drams are to round out your single malt education and this is one of the toughest teachers I've had. Ralphy, where are those UFOs at?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . UFO's are all around ! the evidence is overwhelmin, but many people prefer ignorance.

[@digitaldemocracyai-rob]

@@thewhiskybothy i was across the water from you in Wexford in December 2014. Saw lights zipping across the sky and said to myself at the time..."there they are". With the release of the footage from the DoD in the US, there can be little doubt. The question is ...what type of malt do they prefer? 😊

[@thewhiskybothy]

@@digitaldemocracyai-rob . . . I'm sure they have very good taste and generous budgets !

[@JLajos]

@@digitaldemocracyai-rob I am guessing a heavenly Space-ide.

[@digitaldemocracyai-rob]

@@JLajos not sure...they are Islayians afterall.

[@mickodonnell2530]

86? Working on a bottle of this as we "speak" - integrityagogo, solid, but no boneshaker. Maybe an "in the moment" thing but try it without the tea aperatif - never an 86. Where do you go with the more excellent Benriachs? 100+? Love your stuff, but 86? Come on, Ralfy. Anyways, sugar/no sugar - banged up palate.😁

[@danielstrachan6544]

I know its a bit off subject but sainsburys have ardbeg 10yr old on offer to 37 quid

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . very good price !

[@danielstrachan6544]

I bought a bottle had a few drams something dosent feel right with it compared to a bottle I got a few months ago same as Lagavulin is it a deiago thing or what not happy or is it because I am from Northern Ireland that we just get sent the shit lol

[@djscottdog1]

Got one in cadenheads and its a nice malt

[@alexk3088]

This particular bottle is no longer on Benriach website, their core range has the fatter bottles with white labels, including "Original 10". A very recent rebranding?

[@finlandjourney6065]

Sold me on the accent!

[@glytch5]

I wonder if scotch distillers will ever do what they have with sherry, and start filling their own heavily charred bourbon casks JUST to commission them for refill?

[@Baris-1]

2022 bottling is a waste of malt, waste of glass, waste of cask and labour. What a characterless liquid.

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

Have not had the 10 but really enjoy the 12 yr 46% . Think it is all Bourbon cask matured ? Cheers

[@ticketyboo685]

I have never taken to BenRiach guess I have still to find the one I like.

[@Matt-gf4gd]

I find their peated stuff to be an interesting take on peated whisky.

[@ticketyboo685]

@@Matt-gf4gd I will need to give the peated ones a go, I enjoy a peated whisky especially during the winter months, thanks for the suggestion.

[@chriswitham8736]

Try the 16 YO. Fruity and floral. Similar to Glenlivet 18.

[@mark5ization]

I had a bottle of the 10 a few months ago - pleasant enough but it didn't "wow" me :-/

[@bradl2636]

Ralfy, what to make of the new Benriach expressions? I’m working through the 10 year unchillfiltered natural colour but based on the images I’ve seen of new labelling can’t tell if it’s gone feral or not...

[@Pew7070]

Good one papa bear!

[@JETJOOBOY]

I haven't seen this in the usual haunts.

[@kellyj5389]

For the money. This one is pretty good.

[@jonesmedia]

This is such a complicated Scotch for me. The nose is always excellent. So excellent that my wife, who hates the menthol smell and taste of alcohol, absolutely loves the smell that gets left in the glass a few hours after the liquid is all gone. I have to say, it's such a wonderful smelling whisky. But... I find that unless you give it a solid 20 minutes or longer to oxidize, plus adding some water, the taste is powerfully bitter with an alcoholic burn. But let me tell you, those nights where I have the patience to let it sit, develop, add some water, and where I sip it very slowly over an hour. It begins to open up wonderfully halfway through and to the end. So many lovely honey and floral notes with just the slightest hint of salt and peat, almost imperceptible compared to the other ones from the region. Best of all, I love the aftertaste I have right now, an hour and half later after pouring a glass. This doesn't happen when I go through it quickly. When I have a quick, small glass I do not like it as much. Everything you say here is spot on, Ralfy. I'll have to force myself to get another bottle at some point because at £30 on sale, this has an absolute treat when I respect it time-wise. It's a 7.5 out of 10 for me when drank right.

[@patrickmroz6226]

I have a bottle of Glen Scotia 15yr. That I found to be rather bitter and salty. I’m not a real fan of that experience.

[@thelion43]

? Ralfy from a new subscriber what water do you use and have you tried different waters I would presume Volvic would make the whisky 🥃 taste different than say Buxton

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . there would be slight variation influence due to minerality and processing of the water !

[@bishopburnboy416]

Tasting in the local bottle shop on the 8th ,

[@patricksiegersma6846]

its ok ralfy

[@Matt-gf4gd]

Benriach gives me more earthy, musty notes than anything else. A particularly strong "dusty old book" note - sour not so much.

[@tyman3331]

Got this one discounted for 20 quid here in central Russia. Gonna drink it on the new year’s eve.

[@Smithy67]

Nice. Complex. Interesting

[@alexk3088]

Fuss and fanfare from fickle fashion followers. That's malt-mention haiku right there!

[@iancrombie8862]

Just got new rebranded version,and not impressed so far..where are the hints of banana etc..and it feels 'hot' too...money on rebranding means less money on good casks I fear!

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . ooops ! sign of the times. You should let them know of your dissapointment.

[@iancrombie8862]

@@thewhiskybothy the times they are a changin,yes for the worst!☹😢

[@thecakecadet8450]

That was an intense malt mark waiting to see what ralfy would score it 🤣🤣🤣

[@perkristiansandgren4132]

Maybe need to get me a bottle =) how do you compare it to arran 10yr?

[@adamb6472]

How do I submit a Malt Mention??

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . just state it in the comments !

[@mickodonnell2530]

Sugar in your tea or not?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . not !

[@ianhay2724]

you just done 798, next 799 lol

[@jeremiasschoenherr]

Hey Ralfy, what's the difference to your review 664? Cheers

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . this is a different batch with variation on the theme !

[@jeremiasschoenherr]

@@thewhiskybothy Thanks a million.

[@fcoq5628]

Greetings Ralfy. I was told the US just recently slammed a 25% tariff on single malts. Have you heard anything about this nonsense?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . all part of the journey !

[@elvrro]

What about single malts from Lidl ?

[@rasklaat2]

They suck ass.

[@elvrro]

@Yves B. On that price ?

[@elvrro]

@Yves B. Thanks

[@swedishburrito5073]

❤️👍🥃

[@janteun3]

no i can apraciate the 10 en 12 years old benriach i donth like the styl bitter en sour basically it neeeds long time in the glass first sip i donth like at all bud when i finish my glass i think its not bad at all its dificult hahah long story short i like the cheap benriach bottles vor shelf space i onl buy them when they are discount i olso try the 16 years old i really dislike that bottle i am to afraid to buy more expensive bottle of the brand sorry i domth like benriach bud i olso donth hate it the cheap ones 10 en 12 years oke thats fine bud thats it

[@gussetblaster6786]

I'm a chronic Alcoholic with over 1 years sober. I should not be watching these videos.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . best to block this channel, and keep to the sober-side. Be strong !

[@JETJOOBOY]

It's GREEN

[@perkristiansandgren4132]

Sorry to say maybe you need glases ✌👍

[@cliffnorman178]

What a strange comment about Glendronach from a so called extremely experienced reviewer. It is in no ways a fashionable whisky. It is simply an incredible whisky streets ahead of most other whiskies including BenRiach.

[@sharpdressedman8109]

Cliff Norman, he did not say that it’s a fashionable whisky. He said it’s a sherried whisky - and therefore has become a fashion nowadays

[@cliffnorman178]

@@sharpdressedman8109 In my opinion that is exactly the same thing combining the two statements.

[@ghantakha5568]

Ayoo bro why do u rate same bottle 88/100 two years ago n now 86/100 again . I think u should stop re reviewing same whiskey again in future