PBMichiganWolverine
BenRiach Albariza 22 Year
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed
January 4, 2020 (edited January 12, 2020)
I opened this last night to share with some friends and family. I’ve heard really good things of the 18 yr Albariza, so was hoping this can replicate it, especially considering that 18yr old isn’t available anymore.
Personally, I feel there’s a few combinations that work really well—-Peat+port, Peat+PX sherry, and peat+oloroso are some of my favorites. So, with this peat+PX, I went in with high hopes. It’s really good...but I felt as if it was about a few years too much in the barrel. I felt as if the barrel was probably overactive, and ideally would’ve peaked around 17-19yr. But I know I’m nitpicking—-a 22 yr single malt is a luxury in itself.
At first whiff, you get the earthy peat, not the Islay medicinal, but more mushroom-y. Followed in taste by a sweet nutty flavor and a smoky aftertaste.
It’s damn good...but just a tad over-oaked, in my opinion.
If you see the 18, grab it...I’m guessing that may have been the epitome of a good speysider / highlander Peated single malt.
150.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@PBMichiganWolverine amazing thank you. I'll ship a pack out to you this weekend. Have a ton open that you will be very happy with!
I feel you both. Got a bit carried away with guns/ammo and whisky... stock up some food and toilet paper and I am ready for end times.
I feel you .....got a bit carried away with guns and ammo......ready for zombie invasion though
@Ctrexman yeah...has its own line item in my insurance. #firstworldproblems
@dubz480 i’ve saved you a pour of this—-and a JW Ghost & Rare Brora.
You must have thousands$$ tied up in whiskey, hell of a collection
That reminds me I recently had an unpeated 21 year and thought it was outstanding! Need to review that one for sure! Great review and Happy New year to you!
@LeeEvolved For most that is getting back into whiskey :-). Yeah I need to cut down a bit. I go through different phases. Now back at work trying to cut down mid week!
@LeeEvolved Even with the slowdown of pours hopefully you’ll still grace us with one review a month. Isn’t the same around here without you!
@LeeEvolved - that’s a great plan, man! As mentioned before, golf and life are all about tempo, tempo, tempo. :)
@LeeEvolved @Soba45 barring this holiday season, I’m more like 2-3/month
@Soba45 - unlikely. I’m down to @PBMichiganWolverine levels now: 2-3 pours a week, at most. I’ve bought a handful of bottles to finish collections, but that’s it.
@LeeEvolved Ah cheers. Is 2020 the year you'll be getting back into whiskey? :-)
@Soba45 - it was the Benriach 25 Authenticus that needed some serious time and oxidation, and that was just to calm the harshness.
@PBMichiganWolverine Yeah I have felt that with a lot of the classics Bunnahabhain 18 vs 25, Springbank 15 vs 25, Bowmore 18 vs 25 etc. 15 to 18 is generally my age preference for a lot of whiskies
@Soba45 this might be the first time I sat with a single malt and said “I wish it were younger “
Yeah it definitely shows to much of anything including age isn't necessarily an improvement. @LeeEvolved did note on another (similar I think?)bottle it improved with time open so hopefully it's the same with this one