Scotch

Whisky Review: BenRiach The Forty

We review Benriach The Forty, a 40 year old, peated Speyside malt whisky matured in bourbon casks and finished in a combination of bourbon and port casks.

OVERALL RATING

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Benriach The Forty review

Tasting Notes

About:

40 year old, matured in bourbon casks and finished in a combination of bourbon and port casks, 43.5% abv, SRP $4,500. Color: Mahogany with evenly spaced legs.
Appearance:
Nose:
From the moment this touches the glass it smells exactly how you imagine it would. Warm and inviting oak with a soft hint of sea salt. It evolves into smelling of old books. As it warms in the glass you are entreated to chocolate covered cherries, burnt oranges, and walnut wood. The smell cascades across the nose.
Palate:


Finish:
Comments:
I had to check my expectations with this. Forty years in wood is a long time – it’s a lifetime in oak. I thought it was going to be so powerful and robust, I was expecting waves of flavor to cascade over my palate.rnrnWhat I got was an extremely refined whisky with balance almost like a ballet. It spent 40-years in oak and you don’t get assailed by the strongest flavors. To the contrary you get the most delicate notes in the profile, the orchard fruits, the peach, the walnut. It’s masterfully created and although I’d never spring for it, it is exquisite.

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.

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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