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Whisky Review: BenRiach Curiositas 10 Year Old

We review BenRiach Curiositas 10 Year Old, a Scottish single malt from Speyside that's made from a heavily peated malted barley.

OVERALL RATING

7
$40.00
  • Courtney Kristjana is a leading US whiskey taster and aspiring Master of Scotch.
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Tasting Notes

About:

46% ABV. Heavily peated Speyside whisky. 750mL $40 to $70.
Appearance:
Pale straw. (Fun fact: may be mistaken for a white wine based on color…unsuspecting drinker may or may not hate you.)
Nose:
Despite being peatier than other Speysides, the peat isn’t a punch in the face. Beyond the peat, there is just a hint of banana, cherry, and vanilla.
Palate:
Reminiscent of summer wildfires; the BenRiach Curiositas 10 Year Old is arid, dry, and oaky leaving you thirsty with each sip. The mouthfeel is actually quite oily. The peat is tamable, but the overwhelming factor is the high alcohol content, nutmeg and baking spices. As it unfolds on the tongue, there is a faint fruitiness of banana with a wee bit of vanilla. The most pronounced flavors besides the peat, is Scottish heather, leather and cigar. The aftertaste takes several minutes to dissipate, in that time you have two options; the first is to let the asphaltum linger, the second is to clear it away with water or a beer back.
Finish:
Comments:
The BenRiach Curiostas 10 Year Old, while complex, does not satiate my thirst. The dry mouth side effect is the only reason I cannot rate it four stars. On the other hand, the intense peat is balanced by strong heather and fruit notes, which is very much appreciated. This single malt is something I would reach for in the dreary winter months.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Courtney Kristjana

Courtney Kristjana is a leading whiskey taster in the United States. Inspired by an article on Heather Greene, she left her career in Gerontology to pursue her passion for whiskey. Currently studying to become a Master of Scotch, Courtney dreams of one day being nominated for the Keepers of the Quaich. Her reviews may be as strong as the peat in her scotch, but she guarantees honesty, integrity, and an open mind.

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