Discover BenRiach's fascinating history and its saga of revival.
Whisky is more than just a combination of grains, yeast, and water. While these ingredients form its foundation, whisky's allure lies in the captivating stories woven into each drop. As avid enthusiasts, we’ve come to appreciate the enjoyment that comes from knowing its tales. Born from the ashes of the Victorian whisky boom in 1898, BenRiach’s narrative is a fascinating and lengthy saga of revival, renewed vision, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
The Speyside region is the undisputed beating heart of Scottish single malt whisky production. Accounting for an impressive 60% of Scotland's single malt yield, the region's dominance in the whisky world is far from a chance happening. Lured by the abundant, soft, mineral-rich water and superior, fertile soils, perfect for barley cultivation, distilleries have made a beeline to this whisky Eden.
In the midst of this whisky-drenched landscape, the BenRiach Distillery stands testament to steadfast perseverance and an unwavering spirit of innovation, a bright beacon illuminating the timeless appeal of a beautifully crafted Scotch whisky. The company was launched in 1898 by John Duff during the height of the Victorian whisky boom, when blenders could not get enough of the fragrant, sweet, sophisticated malts of Speyside. However, as it is with any good story, a twist was just around the corner. By 1900, the economic downturn in the whisky market had put a damper on production. And yet, it wasn't all doom and gloom. Even during these low times, the distillery's malting floors kept turning out quality malt for its neighbouring operation, Longmorn Distillery.
Demand returned in the 1960s, with Glenlivet Distillers Ltd. Bringing the distillery back from its extended slumber in 1965, marking a fresh chapter in the BenRiach tale. Under the new management, the distillery expanded to include four stills by 1985, thanks to an investment from Seagrams. A succession of ownership changes and a brief pause in production in 2001, post Pernod Ricard’s takeover, added further character to BenRiach’s journey.
The year 2004 brought with it an infusion of new blood when it was sold to a consortium of three entrepreneurs, led by veteran distiller Billy Walker, with backing from the South African company Infra Trading. This move sparked a revival and saw the distillery expand its reach with the acquisitions of GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh Distilleries in 2008 and 2013 respectively.
The story entered a new era in 2016, under the stewardship of Kentucky-based Brown-Forman, renowned for producing the legendary Jack Daniel's. Since then, thanks to Walker's influential tenure and the arrival of Rachel Barrie in 2017, BenRiach has maintained full production, gaining a robust following amongst whisky enthusiasts.
As the distillery's Master Blender, Rachel Barrie continues BenRiach's legacy of crafting extraordinary whiskies. Her approach is both scientific and artistic, evoking a deep understanding of whisky-making, while applying creative flair to each expression she crafts. Barrie's influence at BenRiach has been transformational, blending the old with the new. Today, BenRiach produces three malt whisky styles – unpeated, peated, and triple distilled – while continuing to experiment with an eclectic selection of casks from around the world.
Join us as we celebrate the highly awaited return of the beloved expression 'The Sixteen'. This award-winning single malt, retired in 2016 and named 'Best Speyside Single Malt' at the World Whisky Awards, has made a comeback. The Sixteen, matured for at least sixteen years in ex-bourbon, sherry, and virgin oak casks, seamlessly fits between BenRiach's 12- and 21-year-old offerings, aptly referred to by Barrie as the "missing piece" in their single malt line-up. The distinct BenRiach whiskies, whether peated or unpeated, embody a sweet, fruity style, reminiscent of the historic character of Speyside whiskies. From its tumultuous beginnings to its innovative present, BenRiach, a distillery that refuses to be anything but remarkable.
The BenRiach 25 Year Old, known as "The Twenty Five," is a distinguished single malt Scotch whisky from the Speyside region. This exceptional whisky is a blend of both peated and non-peated spirits, aged for 25 years in a carefully selected mix of sherry, bourbon, virgin oak, and Madeira wine casks. This aging process creates a complex and well-balanced flavour profile, intertwining subtle smoke with rich fruity undertones, and is bottled at 46% ABV.
Colour: Medium honey
Nose: Smoked apricot, dark cherry chocolate, hazelnut toffee
Taste: Baked fruit, toasted oak spice, orange and cinnamon spice, finishing with rich caramelised smoke
Cask Type: Oloroso sherry, bourbon, madeira, and virgin oak.
ABV: 46%
For those interested in adding the BenRiach 25 Year Old to their collection, it promises to attract enthusiasts of complex, well-aged whiskies, especially those who appreciate the craftsmanship of Speyside malts.
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Nestled in the heart of Speyside, the BenRiach Distillery has a storied heritage dating back to 1898, distinguished by its innovative approach to whisky making. Founded by John Duff on the site of the old Riach farm, the distillery stands out for its unique capability to draw mineral-rich water from an aquifer deep beneath the ground, enhancing the whisky’s distinctive flavour profile.
BenRiach is celebrated for its eclectic cask selection from around the world and its mastery of three styles of whisky: classic unpeated, Highland peated, and triple distilled. This versatility allows their whisky makers to explore the full spectrum of single malt flavours, creating some of the most richly layered and multi-faceted whiskies in Speyside.
Under the guidance of Master Blender Rachel Barrie, the distillery has flourished, gaining acclaim for both its classic and inventive expressions. Rachel’s expertise is particularly evident in the BenRiach 27 Year Old Cask 1858 PX from their Batch 18 single cask series. This series highlights BenRiach’s innovative use of diverse cask influences to craft uniquely flavoured whiskies.
Colour: Demerera Gold
Cask Number: 1858
Date of Distillation: May 30, 1994
Year of Bottling: 2022
Number of Bottles: 645
Cask Type: Pedro Ximenez Puncheon
ABV: 54%
This limited release is non-chill filtered and maintains its natural colour, ensuring an authentic representation of its flavour profile. With only 645 bottles produced, each individually numbered and presented in a handcrafted box, the BenRiach 27 Year Old Cask 1858 PX stands as a testament to the distillery’s commitment to crafting exceptional and memorable whisky experiences.
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Colour: Deep gold
Nose: Intense smoky aromas intertwined with rich layers of fruit and spice.
Taste: A luxurious balance of rich peat smoke and complex sweetness.
ABV: 46%
Billy Walker, renowned for his innovative cask management and visionary blending, played a crucial role in developing BenRiach's revered peated whiskies. Bottled in the distillery's older style bottles, this expression is a tribute to the historical legacy of BenRiach’s whisky making, offering a unique glimpse into the distillery's past achievements under Walker's guidance.
This meticulously crafted whisky not only carries the signature peaty profile expected of the Authenticus line but also embodies the historical craftsmanship of BenRiach, making it a prized addition for collectors and enthusiasts of richly peated Scotch.
