2005 BenRiach 14 yr. Oloross Butt - Netherlands Exclusive - 58.8%
Distilled shortly after Billy Walker took over and bottled a few years after the Brown-Forman acquisition, this represents an interesting look at the Billy Walker BenRiach era. A single cask of 653 bottles, this was selected exclusively for the Dutch market.
Notes: Nose is classically sherried - toffee, dried berries, jammy berries, burnt brownies. Palate and structure plays lean and muscular. Dry sherry, lemon, touch of white wine, white grapes, plenty of savory spice - pepper corn. The finish dips back down away from the top-notes into burnt notes - coffee and toffee. Spice notes lean more toward baking in the finish.
Pour This For: Big proof, ECS Foursquare rum fans would be at home here.
Score: 6 (Highly Recommend) Structure leans high and dry and loses its grip from time to time. Still, plenty of clarity and complexity.
Rating System
10 - Reevaluate The Budget
9 - Stash Two (If Able)
8 - Stash One (At The Right Price)
7 - Highly Recommend It To Strangers
6 - Solid - Above Average
5 - Acceptable For The Situation
4 - Not Vocally Complaining
3 - Anything Else To Drink?
2 - Nothing Nice To Say
1 - Drain Pour