Benriach, renowned for its rich, inventive, and multi-layered Speyside whiskies, has announced its oldest and most exclusive expression to date: Benriach 1966 Cask Aged 50 Years.
The first Benriach to be bottled at 50 years old, this exceptional whisky was first filled with unpeated Benriach spirit on 21 September 1966. It was matured in a single bourbon cask, number 2383, which was handpicked for its exquisite character and destined to become the oldest remaining vintage and rarest ever example of Benriach.
Following decades of maturation in Benriach’s Speyside warehouses, 37 limited edition bottles have been crafted by Master Blender, Dr. Rachel Barrie. These bottles offer whisky lovers worldwide the finest portrayal of Benriach’s signature fruit-laden style, characterised by unrivaled complexity and luxurious refinement.
“At Benriach Distillery, our ability to nurture flavor has been informed by our heritage in maturing an array of casks from across the world, alongside our creative philosophy and exploratory approach toward whisky making. Over many decades, this has granted us an expert understanding of what makes an exceptional cask,” Dr. Rachel Barrie, Master Blender at Benriach Distillery said.
She continued, “I am proud to present Benriach 1966 Cask Aged 50 Years as our ultimate treasure. Sip 50 years of opulent refinement with notes of sublime honeyed dates and delicate oak spices in harmony with the lingering finesse of apple, pear, and traces of grapefruit. This is our art – a testament to the expertise in and commitment to extraordinary cask maturation at Benriach Distillery.”
Benriach 1966 Cask Aged 50 Years is held within a bespoke crystal decanter made in Scotland by Glasstorm. Each decanter is presented in a presentation box crafted by Elgin-based master craftsman John Galvin, inspired by the colorful array of eclectic casks that fill Benriach’s warehouses.
From June, an extremely limited quantity of Benriach 1966 Cask Aged 50 Years will be available for purchase in Australia from select retailers. Each decanter is priced at RRP $48,000, reflecting the unparalleled craftsmanship and rarity of this exceptional whisky.