Cask strength, non-chill filtered, natural color, US exclusive.

The Bottled Realities series features four unique artworks that serve as a sharp satire of modern life. The concept explores the idea that while some may feel content and secure, they might unknowingly be living as a specimen in a bottle, observed by the world. It’s a thought-provoking reminder to question the nature of reality.

The second release in this series is a 14-year-old Benriach, which underwent nearly three years of secondary maturation in a 1st fill oloroso sherry hogshead. The result is a beautifully balanced sherry profile, featuring notes of camphor, raisin, peaches, orange chocolate, dark chocolate, Ovaltine, lemongrass, sweet herbs, mint chocolate, roasted coffee, and sweet cooked dates.

Nose: SHERRY! Filled with sherry notes, raisin, peaches, orange chocolate, dark chocolate, mild camphor, Ovaltine, lemon grass.

Palate: Quite sweet, herbs, menthol, mint chocolate, roasted coffee, sweetness from cooked dates.

Finish: Beautifully long finish, more raisin, gently ashy. A powerful sherry expression that lingers on.

BenRiach, a single malt Scotch whisky producer in Speyside, Scotland, was founded in 1898 by John Duff. It ceased production in 1900 due to a major whisky purchaser’s bankruptcy but resumed in 1965. Ownership changed several times, and it operated for only three months a year before being acquired by an independent consortium in 2004. Brown-Forman acquired it in 2016.

In the past, BenRiach mostly played a supporting role in blends, contributing spicy fruitiness, at times peatiness. Though occasionally bottled as a single malt, it wasn't considered exceptional. The distillery closed in 2003 but was bought by Billy Walker, after which the distillery began producing complex and spicy whiskies.

Today, the distillery focuses on single malt production. The distillery uses two wash stills and two spirit stills. BenRiach looks for a perfumed, fruity sweetness in its whisky, and because they have a broad cut, they capture a good spread of flavors, from this early sweetness to those cereal notes from later in the run.