Benromach 21 Year Old Single Malt 43% Scotland Speyside

There's something wonderfully old fashioned, even nostalgic, about Benromach, a distillery which remains in independent hands, unlike so many of the big players. The 21 Year Old is matured exclusively in sherry casks, both 500l butts and 250l hogsheads, sourced from Williams & Humbert in Jerez and containing sherry for at least three years - twice the required minimum. The result is an opulent, smooth, luxurious single malt with superb complexity. An intense, sweet nose of creme de cacao, sultana, red fruits, orange and honey leads into a palate that is seamless, with bread-and-butter pudding, baked plum, demerara sugar, fruitcake, fudge and sweet spice, all shot through with a very gentle, integrated note of woodsmoke. A true special occasion whisky, but worth every penny.