The BenRiach website welcomes newcomers with the words “for discerning individuals.” After my first experience with their whisky at A Dram Come True I’d have to say they are definitely delivering on this promise. BenRiach, which means Hill of the Red Deer, was created in 1892 in Glenbervie, Speyside, right next to the Longmorn Distillery. It closed eight years later, only to reopen in 1965 and begin a carousel of different owners, including Glenlivet, Seagrams and Chivas Brothers, then finally Billy Walker with 2 South African investors.

The tasting program describes the colour as rich golden, with an explosion of peat, apples and spices, finishing fresh and well defined. It is bottled non chill filtered at 46%. The Authenticus is a big brother to the Curiositas 10 year, an expression of a more heavily peated malt. Read more about BenRiach at Maltmadness, Whiskymag and MaltManiacs

BenRiach Authenticus 21 Year was one of my very favorite whiskies of the tasting. Its colour was actually much lighter than rich golden, more like a pale straw. The aromas were dominated by a cool, sweet honey smoke, not aggressive in any way. On the palate, a very distinct chocolate covered raisin flavor dominated, which was really emphasized by the oily nature of the whisky. This is not a typical Speyside. The finish was clean but lasted very long, second only to the Dallas Dhu 27 year at the tasting. Definitely something I’d consider purchasing, with some value at under $150 for a 21 year.