Benriach has reintroduced one of its most iconic single malt whiskies, The Sixteen. Initially ‘retired’ back in 2016, the expression has been added back to the Speyside distillery’s core lineup.
Benriach The Sixteen returns with a reformulated recipe in an effort to bridge the gap between the 12 and 21-year-old malts. To craft Benriach The Sixteen, Benriach spirit is matured in bourbon barrels as well as sherry and virgin oak casks for at least 16 years.
The three-cask matured spirit was previously one of Benriach’s most heavily decorated single malts, winning a host of industry accolades including Best Speyside Single Malt at the World Whisky Awards in 2015.
On the nose, baked apple and creamy hazelnut malt aromas mesh with overtones of ginger-spiced apricot and honey. The palate features spiced stewed apple, stone fruit, and mellow nutty oak, with honeyed malt and candied peel
Known for its long-standing tradition of distilling classic, peated and triple distilled whisky and a vast eclectic cask inventory sourced from around the world, the full Benriach portfolio has been crafted by Master Blender Rachel Barrie and her team.
“The return of Benriach The Sixteen is a very special moment for the distillery as it is one of our most treasured expressions,” said Rachel Barrie, Master Blender for Benriach. “Our signature Speyside style blossoms at 10 years old, finding depth and richer layers of orchard fruit character as it turns 16. Our core flavor components of fruit, malt, and oak become more concentrated, enriched with age at 16 years old, bringing layers of stone fruit, smooth creamy malt, wild honey, and nutty oak spice.”
Bottled at 43% ABV, Benriach The Sixteen is available for $115 from select retailers beginning February 2023. For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
In September, Benriach unveiled the second edition releases of Malting Season and Smoke Season, two annual expressions that reflect the traditional methods of Scotch whisky-making dating back to the earliest days of the Speyside distillery.