Review #138: 1997 Distiller's Art Benrinnes 18 year old Cask Strength from ex-Sherry Cask

Speyside - 18 Year - NCF - NCA - $100 - 49.4%

Benrinnes is a distillery that is now largely known for its juice going to Dewars.  Until 2007, they used a unique triple distillation technique and worm tub. If you want to find out more, Dave has a great write up about this process. 

Color - Ripe Corn - really light for 18 years in Sherry

Nose - Figs, vanilla, tropical fruit, mango, clove

Taste - Raisins, apples, lemons, cloves, banana

Finish - Medium Short - Vanilla, cloves, apricots

Overall - 6 -  I think this sherry cask has been used one too many times.  The sherry, while present, doesn't come through as much I would hope.  It is a very pleasant dram, easy drinking and enjoyable.  Having said that, there is not much here to keep me interested in it.  I don't get anything unique, which is strange since it is triple distilled and uses worm tubs.  Worth picking up on sale but there are better options at $100 though maybe without as big of an age statement. 

Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show
9 Great Dram for Special Occasions
8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection
7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood
6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale
5.5 Solid Dram, but they probably wouldn't discount enough to buy
5 I would drink it happily if offered
4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks
3 Maybe some soda will make this potable
2 I'll Pass
1 Toilet cleaner

Inclusive Ratings
Overall 6.2
Standard Deviation 0.92
Skew 0.66
Kurtosis -0.16