New Release: Bennevis 1996-2015 19yo HUNTER LAING #HL12148 50%

A fresh, fruit-forward Bennevis with subdued impurities. Bennevis 1996-2015 19yo HUNTER LAING #HL12148 50% The aroma is rich, sweet, and slightly sherry-forward, with dried fruits like raisins, a floury grain character, complex yet slightly rustic. On the palate, it's smooth and more fruity than the aroma suggests, with good sherry influence, tropical notes alongside dried fruits. There's some roughness from the grains but it's well-balanced, with jammy sweetness, subtle tannins and vegetal bitterness, and an oily, long finish. [Good/Very Good] Recently released by Hunter Laing, this Bennevis 1996 is 19 years old. The aroma is rich and sweet, with concentrated dried fruits that evoke both fresh fruit flesh and dry elements. It also carries the rustic grain character typical of this distillery. On tasting, the fruitiness is even more pronounced than expected, with tropical notes. While there's some roughness, it lacks paperiness and the bitterness is balanced, adding depth rather than off-putting sharpness. The finish is richly sweet with a pleasant tannic grip, and a fruity, oily length that's enjoyable. Interestingly, I recall drinking a more refined version of Bennevis at a Scottish bottler. While official releases can be exceptional, there are also excellent bottlings from independent bottlers. Bennevis has a reputation for significant variation between casks, with certain ones consistently offering clean, fruity profiles. Like Springbank, this reflects the charm of handcrafted Scotch whisky. Once a distillery I found challenging, now it's a delight to drink.