Benriach has unveiled the latest addition to its luxury portfolio, Benriach The Forty. The new whisky from the Speyside distillery showcases the brand’s historically diverse methods of distillation and cask curation.
Back in the 70s–like today–the Speyside region didn’t really make peated whiskies, Benriach, however, made the unconventional choice to distill small batches of highly peated spirit, which continues to this day. Master Blender Rachel Barrie continues this tradition with the Benrich Forty, one of the oldest peated malts ever to be released from a Speyside Distillery.
The Forty was previously only available as early as October 2022 as part of a luxury bespoke non-fungible token (NFT) on Blockbar.com. This is the first time consumers will be able to purchase physical bottles in stores.
A deep bronze in color, the Scotch is richly fruity, with scents of sweet orange, plum, and honey pomelo laced with dark chocolate coated berries layered on smooth walnut and cherry liqueur. The palate finds luscious orchard fruits unfolding on the palate with silky morello cherry, soft nectarine, stewed red apple and white peach, lingering into a seductive velvety walnut and kumquat finish.
“Fine bourbon casks have gradually developed exquisite notes of honeyed pomelo and lush orchard fruits to create Benriach The Forty,” said Barrie. “Over the decades of maturation, the smoky character of peated Benriach spirit refines and mellows, transforming into ripe fruit sweetness. This intricate character is interwoven with dark notes of chocolate, rich plum and smooth walnut from port casks sourced from the Douro Valley.”
Bottled at 43.5% ABV, Benriach The Forty presents will be available as a limited release in specialist retailers in select markets across the United States for $4,500 per bottle. For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
In February, Benriach reintroduced one of its most iconic single malt whiskies, The Sixteen.