whisky review 198 - Benriach 21yo Authenticus

... a peated Benriach of some phenolic clout for it's age.

[@Borfel]

"Grandpa's Slippers" Now THAT'S a nosing note I haven't heard before. I love it.

[@kidsafe]

The sheer amount of choice you get in BenRiach OBs almost makes my head spin! I love the creamy, vanilla forwardness of the malt in younger bottlings. I can't imagine how mellow and soft the 21yr Authenticus would be.

[@lizvalo]

Thanks, Ralfy! What you say between 2:44-3:20 is sooo important! This is why I'm very much in favor of clear bottling codes (such as provided, for example, by Ardbeg and Lagavulin). I would score much more highly the BenRiach 21yo that I had a couple of years ago than what you give the current bottling. Of course, one wouldn't know this until he or she actually could see the specific time this was bottled. Thanks again for your obsevations!

[@Wayfarer8]

Hello Raldy! I think You could continue with BENRIACH 12 years Pedro Ximinez . Me and my friend bought a bottle of BerRiach 12y.o. peat version. It was great, real old style whisky, sherry matured, not so old to lost peaty savageness. It was like 15 y.o. Glenfarclas + 10 y.o. Ardbeg.

[@cato451]

@grzechu1987 It is a decent dram. The best thing about the 12YO Tomatin is the low price. I'd say it is a good starter malt for that reason alone. Be sure to use a little water to tame the spice on the finish.

[@NickLightingale]

Benriach = AWESOME!!! I got the 13 yo Maderensis Fumosus heavily peated madeira finished bottle and it rules. I agree about the unexpected and powerful peat punch you get with these "permutations," somewhere between Bowmore and Laphroaig for sure and interesting speyside notes when you look for them. Ouch on the Ralfy score here, but good show as always!

[@DavidUKesb]

The new 17yo Septendecim is fabulous Ralfy

[@Dotsirammi]

Great review..cheers.

[@miserablerhurensohn]

I just opened up a Curiositas. Very similar to Laphroaig 10 but with 3% more ABV. Same leathery nose and taste. I think I prefer it over the Laphroaig but I'll have to put them head to head and figure that out for sure.

[@ion1984]

4:20 ... about blind tastings. Truth. Keep on keeping it real, sir.

[@fasterischead]

@grzechu1987 Well, may as well weigh in! I found the ol' Tomato 12 to be a bit of an oddball. The first few times I opened my bottle it would swing violently from a dark, aromatic black tea character (think Darjeeling) to a super-sweet citrus attack (think Grand Marnier). After awhile it settled into a kind of Glenmorangie thing. Interesting stuff and a hell of a lot of fun, but it wouldn't be my first choice (I'd give it an 82). If it were my money, I'd get the 18!

[@texpeare]

Hello Ralfy, Thank you for guiding me (a novice) through the world of whisky. I'll be visiting Edinburgh for my honeymoon in June. Can you recommend places there where my future wife and I can enjoy some of Scotland's best whiskies?

[@mu99ins]

There was a sale on Glenmorangie Original (marked down 25%), a whisky I am already familiar with. So I bought a bottle for future use. I intend to try other whiskys before I open the Glenmorangie. So, the question arises, apart from storing in a cool place, is it preferred to store the bottle upright or laying on it's side?

[@dlf_uk]

How do you pack your whisky bottles when flying Ralfy? I'm going on a trip to scotland later in the year, and plan on picking up a few bottles, and was worried about putting them the suitcase, and whether it's a problem if they are lay on their sides in transit.

[@grzechu1987]

Hello Ralfy, I'm considering buying 12 y.o. Tomatin single malt whisky - are you familiar with this brand? if so, would you recommend this one? I'm just starting my journey with whisky and your videos are very helpful, thanks a lot for your effort!

[@jidar]

Hey Ralfy, what do you think of all the political turmoil in Scotland right now? Do you think Scotland should leave the U.K.? Does this have any implications for Scotish Distillers? I'm asking as a curious American.

[@degmar]

What would you score the Curiositas?

[@grzechu1987]

@politicalidiot1 @ralfystuff @fasterischead Thanks a lot for your responses! It happens that in my nearest shop I have two options for similar price: Tomatin 12 y.o. and Glenmorangie The Original. Given that you say that Tomatin is only decent I think I'll try Glenmorangie instead.

[@DanMowry]

@Hellishcrusade Because he lives there?

[@blaaat1]

@ralfystuff so you're a big van of Cavendish? ;)

[@VampyrSekhmet]

i need you help with a malt blend that is confussing me, it is called The angel's share, it is a blend and 21 year old malt blend.

[@Hellishcrusade]

Ralfy mon - I cannae fathom why you have that Isle of Man enblem on your wall there? Please enlighten my ignoramalthead.