Let’s see if it can surprise me and that hopefully in a positive way

Appearance:
Color: clear Gold. Medium oily as the streaks on the glass flow down semi slow.

Nose: 89/100 points
Very fruity, floral start. The 51% ABV are very well integrated. Smells like a meadow full of flowers and herbs. Lots of honey with a hint of thyme. On the fruits side I get some oranges and apricots. But over all the floral and herbal notes stand out. Lovely nose. Reminds me of end of spring or an early young summer.

Taste: 90/100 points
sweet start which turns quickly very fruity with a slightly noticeable fruit sourness which btw harmonies very well. A lot of herbs come again and fill the mouth with tons of flavors. Here also the oak kicks in. but not too tart. A bit spicy with ginger and a tiny hint of nutmeg. To the end after a long time in the mouth it becomes very oily and the bitterness is more present, but definitely not unpleasant.

Finish: 90/100 points
wow, nice fruity sweet finish with a lot of herbs again. Fantastic finish. A bit caramel I notice this time and a lot of honey again. This time the honey notes are without that thyme flavor. the herbs longer very long inside the mouth.

Conclusion:
the force is strong with this one. Many of the aspects and flavors of this Whisky fulfilled my expectations to 100%. That is an absolutely lovely Whisky. The fruity and especially the herbal flavors are overwhelming. Those are so intense and make this Whisky in my eyes very special. Wish I could get my hands on a big bottle. Perfect summer Whisky imho.

Overall I give this Whisky: 90/100 WhiskyYoda points

here are some more detailed bottle information:

Brand	Benrinnes	Cask/Batch#	11724+11726
Series	Cask Strength Collection	Vintage	28.10.1996
Region	Scotland / Speyside	Bottled	01.08.2018
Bottler	Signatory Vintage	Age	21yo
Type	Single Malt	Non-Cillfiltered	yes
Casks	Hogsheads	Natural color	yes
ABV	51%	Whiskybase ID:	119998

Let’s see if it can surprise me and that hopefully in a positive way

Appearance:
Color: soft Gold and very clear. Medium oily as the streaks on the glass flow down semi-slow.

Nose: 89/100 points
the first thing coming into my nose when I hold it deep into the nose was a sting of alcohol. OK, let’s keep a distance to the glass, blow one time in and smell again………………
Here we go!! What I get now are a huge basket full of bright fruits and Apples. Then I find a second basket beside the first one which contains a lot of herbs, floral notes, grass and hay. WOW! such a nice nose so far. Ok, lets sniff a bit longer, shall we?
what comes next are malt, cereals and some Vanilla and nuts.
Let’s not forget the very nice soft oak flavors combined with leather and some sweetness of honey. As longer you smell as more flavors you will find. Great nose!!

Taste: 90/100 points
The flavors on the palate pictures, or better mirrors the flavors of the nose to 100%. You’ll get exactly what you expected after smelling on it.
It starts off with a basket full of sweet bright fruits, a glass of fresh honey, also the oak appears to be sweet. The honey sweetness is all over it. Now also the second basket from the nose is delivered to the palate. Somebody kicks it over and spills a huge bunch of floral notes, herbs, grass, hay and cereals all over you togue.
After a while there is a leather bag filled with nuts and malt.
really complex. A lot of flavors to find.

Finish: 88/100 points
wonderful aromatic finish. however here it gets a bit dry.
Nevertheless, the finish shows most of the flavors of the palate as well. Those flavors are now covered in a little dryness but only for a shorter time. The dryness disappears and the nice fruity herbal flavors stay for a very long time.

Conclusion:
the force is strong with this one! This is how an old Ex-Bourbon Cask Matured Whisky should taste. Many of the aspects and flavors of this Whisky fulfilled my expectations to 100%. The oak was surprisingly not tart on the palate considering the high age. There are a lot of flavors to discover if you take your time with it since it will open up a lot after a while. The body I would describe as full, but not in a same way as a Sherry cask matured malt. More in a lighter, bright way. One could also say a fresh way. It is a very complex and enjoyable malt, and I fully recommend trying it if you get the chance. I enjoyed it a lot.

Overall I give this Whisky: 89/100 WhiskyYoda points

here are some more detailed bottle information:

Brand	Glen Elgin	Cask/Batch#	2526
Series	The Un-Chillfiltered Collection	Vintage	1986
Region	Scotland / Speyside	Bottled	2018
Bottler	Signatory Vintage (SV)	Age	31yo
Type	Single Malt	Non-Cillfiltered	yes
Casks	Hogsheads	Natural color	yes
ABV	48%	Whiskybase ID:	113343

Remarks:
very nice Ledaig.
one must like sulfur thou.

Overall I rate this Whisky:

• Nose:
  Strong start. intense Sherry flavor with a sulfur note that comes through. Many dried and red fruits, some berries, Vanilla and a hint of chocolate and over all the smell of smoke. quite complex imho for that age.
  
  
• Taste:
  strong start with many smokey flavors combined with the red and dry fruits from the Sherry cask. Here the sulfur note is less noticeable. Very full mouthfeel.
  
  
• Finish:
  here I get the same flavors like the once on the palate but a bit softer and without the sulfur. But it lasted quite long.
  

Review written on 2024-06-12

Remarks:
very intense Sherry flavors like expected but also has a lot of chocolate in it’s profile. very deep and full bodied for that young age. very easy drinking and if you give it a bit time in the glass the flavors become even more intense. Very nice one.

Overall I rate this Whisky:

• Nose:
  
  
• Taste:
  
  
• Finish:
  

Review written on 2024-04-02

Remarks:
Beautiful malt from the Bourbon barrel. The nose and palate are very complex. There’s a lot you can discover if you take the time. The finish is more on the woody, bitter side.

Overall I rate this Whisky:

• Nose:
  Malt, green apple, light floral notes, yellow berries, caramel, vanilla, oak, leather, hay and some honey
  
  
• Taste:
  floral light fruity notes, oak, sweet, caramel, vanilla, green apple, yellow berries, some leather. It is spicy. Towards the end there is a slight fruit acidity.
  
  
• Finish:
  Oak and leather dominate at first. Later it becomes slightly fruity and sweet before a tart, slightly floral note emerges.
  

Review written on 2024-02-02