I was recently chatting with some people on a Facebook page called Scotch Addicts (awesome page, tons of helpful posters) and it turned out surprisingly few people know about The BenRiach, so I decided that it was time to spread a little bit of the love!
BenRiach is an absolutely stunning Speyside Single Malt Scotch with a history as interesting as their vast assortment of offerings! (Confession: I didn't know too much about BenRiach myself until recently, but the more I learn about it, the more I've grown to love it!)
BenRiach was initially built in 1898 as a secondary distillary for Longmorn, but the timing was unfortunately poor. The scotch whisky market saw itself collapse and by 1900, only two years later, BenRiach would have its doors closed for the first time. This would remain the case until 1965 when the Glenlivet Distillers would purchase it to assist with production for the now vastly growing demand for Scottish whisky! Why then, you ask, would BenRiach have survived demolition for 65 years when it wasn't making whisky? As luck would have it, BenRiach had lovely malting floors that Longmorn continued to use once it had been reopened.
Since then, BenRiach would change hands while continuing to play with its offerings, both peated and un-peated. Sadly, it would be closed once again in 2002. Thankfully, in 2004, Billy Walker purchased and re-opened BenRiach while introducing some of what remains their core offerings today: Curiousitas, a lovely peated whisky, Heart of Speyside, 12 year, 16 year and 20 year.
Since then, BenRiach has released countless one-time offerings! If you were to travel around North America, be sure to check into every liquor store you feel like walking into. You just might find a bottle or two that you've never seen before!
In 2016, Brown Forman purchased BenRiach and things are continuing to look up! New Master Blender, Dr. Rachel Barrie, has been given a full license to play and we're sure to see some spectacular releases in the coming years. Further to this, they're expanding their horizon to try new things! Keep an eye out for the BenRiach 'Spring Summer Collection' 2019, a series of garments inspired by the whisky!
If you're new to BenRiach, I highly recommend starting with the 10 year! It's a spectacular, traditional Speyside whisky with spectacular flavours of green apple, apricots, peach and soft banana. Coupled with subtle touches of aniseed and lemon with a crisp barley finish, this scotch is not to be missed! If you ask Global Ambassador Stewart Buchanan, he'd tell you he'll have a glass of this for breakfast!
Head out to your local liquor store and introduce yourself to The BenRiach today!
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