BenRiach 15yo 1994/2009 (57.1%, OB, for Kensington, Madeira HHD, C#4810, 250 Bts.)

Some people start to experience breathing difficulties when the term ‘finished’ is mentioned in relation to scotch whiskies. If you’re such a person, it’s time to strap on the oxygen mask because here’s an example of a finished whisky. This one strikes all the bells in the tower; single cask, cask strength, non chill filtered, natural color, Madeira finish and bottled exclusively for Kensington Wine Market in Calgary, Alberta Canada.

The first sniff (nose) into the top of the glass reveals some strength and a very slight sourness (like sour cherries) and then a rich sweetness comes roiling up for the depths of the glass. Thick of warm fruit in the bowl, sun dried raisins, brown sugar followed by some malt and then moments of something dark and even richer, earthy, slightly over cooked (reduced not burnt) marmalade and the slight hints of sour cherries. Simply put a stunningly good collection of aromas. With water the aromas become slightly less fruity and more earthy/malty/woody but the rich fruit is still very much in evidence. The taste is once again rich and much like the undiluted aromas, rich concentrated fruits and now some leather and tobacco enter into the fray roiling around in the mouth; after a moment or tow it becomes almost creamy. Excellent. With water the taste is much gentler with loads of the fruit, malt and the earthy notes. The finish is malty, dry and oaky with the afore mentioned fruit and some of the leather and tobacco. It is very long, warming and quite good. After a number of minutes raisins and malt are still present.

Try it neat for nosing and with water for drinking but quite simply any combination works. Finishing can work… Another excellent pick from the Kensington team. Well done Andrew.

C$110

Score 88 points