BenRiach 17yo Pedro Ximénez – 46% abv

Info: Matured in American bourbon barrels, and finished in Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks sourced from the bodegas of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalucia, Southern Spain. This replaces the renowned 15YO expression. Bottled at 46%.
Colour: Rich, dark golden autumnal gold.
Nose: More than anything you can smell the punchy PX sherry notes, autumn fruits, rich christmas cake, ripe raisins. It’s kind of meaty, has leathery tones, creamy spice.
Palate: The punchy nose is tamed a little on your palate to become fairly gentle and relaxed. Chocolaty, rich fruit notes are there, but held in check and not overpowering.
Finish: There’s a fresh, almost eucalyptus quality to what is a long warming finish that leads to the sweet, mushed autumn fruits which wait around leading to quite a few spices.
Thoughts: The nose makes you think this will be a scary sherry bomb of a dram, but as soon as you sip some it turns in to a sumptuous, relaxing, sweet, sherry lead – but not overpowered – dram of autumn joy. It’s a great whisky.
Available: Master of Malt – £65.83

Thanks to BenRiach for the sample.

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