Benriach Peated PX Finish 22 Years Review

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Benriach Distillery, now owned by Brown-Forman since 2016.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation and Maturation: Matured in American oak casks and finished in Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks. The American oak casks are likely refill casks, as first-fill ex-bourbon casks were not specified.
Age Statement: 22 years.
ABV: 46%.
Filtration and Color: Un-chill filtered and uncolored.
Color Description: Described as summer harvest straw or dark amber.
Bottle Design: Not specifically described, but the packaging includes a card box with detailed tasting notes.

Nose: Crisp, candied peel, soft peach, ripe banana, demerara sugar, delicate rounded peat smoke, and gentle sweet oak spice.
Taste: Dramatic peat smoke, barley, crisp citrus zest, pepper, fresh ginger, caramelized orchard fruits, dried apricots, rich grassy wood smoke. The flavor is described as having a massive, voluminous, and mouth-watering profile with oranges, sweetness, white pepper, and a lot of intensity from the cask.
Finish: The aftertaste is glowing, warming, with a peppery spicy note from the oak combined with the sweetness of the PX sherry, where the smoky note mixes in during the taste and aftertaste.
Flavor Development: The smokiness is noted to be stronger when the whisky is allowed to develop in the glass, with a PPM (phenol parts per million) estimated between 15 and 20.

Cask Selection: Casks selected by Billy Walker, indicating his ongoing involvement in ensuring the quality and character of the whisky.
Distillery Ownership: Mention of Benriach's sale to Brown-Forman in 2016 and the continuation of producing quality whiskies under new ownership.
Production Insights: Discussion on the impact of refill American oak casks and PX sherry cask finishing on the whisky's flavor profile.

Name Origin: The whisky is called "Alberitza," named after the chalk soil in southern Spain where the Pedro Ximénez sherry wine grapes are grown. This soil is known for its ability to retain water, benefiting the grapes during the dry summer months.

Horst Luening describes the whisky as having a "massive, voluminous, and mouth-watering" profile, highlighting the balance of smokiness, sweetness, and spicy oak notes.
The importance of cask selection by Billy Walker is emphasized, indicating a careful and skilled approach to crafting the whisky's complex flavor profile.

Benriach Peated PX Finish 22 Years is a single malt Scotch whisky with a rich and complex flavor profile, matured in American oak and finished in PX sherry casks.
The whisky exhibits a balance of peat smoke, sweet fruits, and spicy oak notes, with a glowing and warming finish.
Named "Alberitza" after the chalk soil in southern Spain, the whisky's name reflects its geographical and cultural significance.
Expert opinions highlight the whisky's voluminous flavor and the careful selection of casks by Billy Walker.

For Peated Whisky Enthusiasts: Those who appreciate a well-balanced peat smoke character with a unique twist from the PX sherry cask finish.
For Experienced Whisky Drinkers: Individuals looking for a complex and aged whisky with a rich story and meticulous cask selection process.
For Collectors: The unique story, careful cask selection, and limited nature of this 22-year-old whisky make it a valuable addition to any collection.