Benrinnes 21 Year Old Special Releases 2024

Benrinnes 21 Year Old Special Releases Grand Crescendo 2024 55.4% 70cl 

A sumptuously elegant Benrinnes release, this expression has been aged for over two decades resulting in a dram of pure opulence. It started life maturing for eight years in refill casks, ahead of a second 13-year spell in wine-seasoned American oak, European oak and rejuvenated casks with charred ends. Exactingly balanced, this single malt pairs orchard fruit vibrancy with the mellowness that can only come from a generous maturation length. 

Official tasting notes: 

Nose: Mild in feel at first. Then, rich and full, with fruity aromas in the foreground suggesting  baked apple, pear, and peach. They are soon joined by a rich caramel note, calling to mind  sweet Scottish toffee. All these aromas are mellow, rounded and appetising. A dash of water  introduces a suggestion of balsawood. 

Palate: Firm and full-bodied, with a rich texture. Sweet and richly fruity from the off, the  powerful, fresh taste soon becomes deliciously sweet-savoury, with a lick of salt amid spicy  intensity. A dash of water softens this without losing the spiciness.  

Finish: Quite long, finishing smoothly dry and lightly spicy, and lightly mouth-cooling.  Similar with water.