Benriach The Twenty One Scotch Whisky
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky | 750mL | 46% ABV (92 proof) | Aged 21 Years — Benriach The Twenty One is the flagship of Master Blender Rachel Barrie's "elegant" era at the distillery south of Elgin (founded 1898, Brown-Forman-owned since 2016): a marriage of unpeated and gently peated spirit, matured a minimum of 21 years in four cask types — ex-bourbon barrels, virgin oak casks, sherry casks, and Bordeaux red wine casks. Non-chill filtered, natural cask-imparted color. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
Each wood does a job: bourbon brings creamy sweetness, sherry brings rich fruit, virgin oak brings structured spice, Bordeaux brings berry and grape — and two decades soften the sweet Speyside smoke until it reads as a wisp rather than a wave. Official notes: nose of berry fruit, orchard apple, wild honey, and mountain oak spice with delicate sweet pine smoke; palate of candied grape, rich cocoa, smoked pine nut, and caramelised pear; a long, elegant honey-smoke finish. Independent reviewers score it in the high 80s to low 90s (WhiskyNotes 88, Time for Whisky 93). A benchmark single malt for the peat-curious traditionalist.
Tasting notes
Nose: berry fruit, orchard apple, wild honey, mountain oak spice, delicate sweet pine smoke (distillery). Palate: candied grape, rich cocoa, smoked pine nut, caramelised pear. Finish: long, elegant honey smoke with lingering dried fruit and subtle oak spice.
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- 750mL, 46% ABV — 21-year Speyside single malt, non-chill filtered, natural color
- Four-cask maturation: ex-bourbon, virgin oak, sherry, and Bordeaux red wine casks
- Unpeated and gently peated spirit married by Master Blender Rachel Barrie
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
Serve neat in a Glencairn — at 46% ABV a splash of water opens the berry and honey notes without drowning the smoke.
Frequently asked questions
Is Benriach The Twenty One peated?
Partially — it is a marriage of unpeated and gently peated spirit; after 21 years the smoke integrates into an elegant wisp.
What casks are used?
Four types: ex-bourbon barrels, virgin oak casks, sherry casks (Pedro Ximénez at the original release), and Bordeaux red wine casks.
Is it chill filtered?
No — it is non-chill filtered with natural cask-imparted color.
What is the ABV?
46% ABV (92 proof), 750mL in the US market.