Why Malaysian Scotch Lovers Are Guaranteed A Good Time With Benriach
Speyside’s most interesting single malt finally makes its debut in Malaysia
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If there’s one thing Malaysian whisky anoraks love, it’s the amber tipple from Scotland – from Speyside to be exact. After all, the region is the homeground of a litany of high-prized, award-winning whiskeys (think The Glenlivet and Glenfiddich) which Malaysians have been lucky enough to enjoy on our shores.
But we’re getting another well-timed dose of luck, as the decidedly unique whiskies from Benriach has finally made its debut in Malaysia – just in time to warm our insides as the weather takes a balmy turn not unlike its Speyside distillery.
Brought in by boutique Malaysian beverage distributor, Drinks Alliance – the Benriach label is probably one of the most interesting whiskies to warm Malaysian palates. While it bears all the winning hallmarks of a Speyside tipple – easy drinking and deliciously fruity – Benriach seems to relish in experimentation and was one of the earliest producers to introduce peat into bottlings.
Despite being known for its long standing tradition of distilling classic, peated and triple distilled whisky, the distillery from 1898 also departs from traditional sherry cask maturation, opting to instead make use of its vast electric cask inventory sourced from various parts of the world. Among these unusual cask types include new oak, Jamaican rum, Sauternes, Port, Madeira and beyond which results in complex layers of flavours.
The Original Ten
(Credit: Benriach)
A traditional Speyside whisky, single malt whisky is smooth and fruit forward with a bouquet of orchard fruits like green apple and honey with an undercurrent of spiced vanilla and the barest hint of smoke. These multilayered notes come from the three cask maturation for at least ten years in bourbon barrels,sherry casks and virgin oak.
The Smoky Ten
(Credit: Benriach)
Sweet and smoky, thanks to the Highland peat which is distinctly milder than an Islay’s heavy notes. Crafted from a combination of unpeated and peated spirit, it opens with a sweet fruituniness before a gentle nudge of aromatic smoke and toasted oak spice tickles the palate. The whiskey has seen time in bourbon casks, Jamaican rum barrels and charred virgin oak. Interestingly, this whisky would go very nicely with a yakitori-style or korean-style barbeque dinner.
The Twelve
(Credit: Benriach)
This one is a beautiful dark drink – think chocolate, coffee and cherry having a wonderful party together and you’re invited for the full experience. The dark expression comes from the cask maturation for at least 12 years in sherry casks, bourbon barrels and port casks. It’s not all dark though, there’s honeyed notes interwoven into the drink and it’s very much a Benriach specialty.
So if you’re ready to dive into Benriach’s exquisite whiskeys, we have a treat for you! Drinks Alliance is offering TRP’s readers a special RM25 discount for all Benriach products on Wine Bros! Just use the promo code BENRIACHMY21 when checking out from Wine Bros (HERE).
The best part? This code is valid for 30 times usage until 15th September 2021. Cheers!
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