Benriach 8-year-old (D.2012, B.2021) Marsala Cask Finish, The Cooper's Choice/ 54%/ 0.7l

The Cooper's Choice is a range of single malt and single grain whiskies from the portfolio of The Vintage Malt Whisky Company, founded in 1992 by Brian Crook.

The Cooper's Choice followed a year later and pays tribute to the coopers, whose role in Scotch whisky is often underestimated. The Benriach 8 year old featured here is the 2021 Cooper's Choice – distilled in September 2012, aged in American oak casks and finished in Marsala cask no. 800216. Bottled at 54% abv and non-chill-filtered in an edition of 198 bottles, the Benriach Distillery is based in Speyside and is owned by Brown-Forman. Current production of around 2 million litres of distillate per year means it is operating at 70% capacity.

Aroma : toffee, vanilla, raisins and sultanas, plums, orange peel, sponge cake, roasted nuts, notes of cinnamon, cloves and toasted oak.

Taste : consistent with the aroma, buttery croissant, honey, vanilla, toffee, nectarines, gooseberries, cherries, white pepper, cinnamon and roasted peanuts.

Finish: medium long, with notes of toffee, caramel, plums, peaches, candied ginger, cinnamon and oak.