BenRiach Curiositas 10 Year

The 46 vol gets much better reviews than the 40.

Second sample from Flaviar is BenRiach Curositas 10 yr. This is a peated Speysider, bottled at a respectable 46% ABV. It's a nice light gold and produces average legs while leaving a decent oily coating on the glass. For a 10 yr whisky at 92 proof, it's remarkably tame in the nose, with almost no trace of alcohol burn. The nose has orchard fruits, berries, floral notes and some barely there smoke. It's lacking the sweet richness of a typical Speysider, but also the smoke of an Islay. What is this stuff? Hmm, maybe that's why they called it Curiositas? The palate is much bolder than the nose, similar to the Caol Ila earlier. It's dry with apples, pears, and some nice smoke. There is a peppery oak flavor as well, and it has a thick mouthfeel. Not bad at all. The finish is unremarkable - just a light campfire smoke, although it does linger a while. At $72 online, I just can't see myself buying a bottle of this. Not bad, but not for me. 3.5/5. Cheers!