Benrinnes 2009 AD

Benrinnes Distillery is situated at the foot of Ben Rinnes mountain, a renowned natural landmark in southern Speyside. At its 840-meter summit, visitors can enjoy panoramic views across eight Scottish counties. The distillery takes its name from this mountain and shares its water source—drawn from mountain wells—with four neighboring distilleries: Aberlour, Allt-a-Bhainne, Dailuaine, and Glenfarclas. The first Benrinnes distillery was established in 1826, though no traces remain today; it stood only a few kilometers from the current site. The present distillery was constructed in the 1950s. In autumn 2012, Benrinnes underwent a major modernization, including full automation of the distillation process and construction of a new control room. The facility features an 8.5-ton semi-lauter mash tun, eight Oregon pine washbacks with fermentation times of 65-100 hours, two wash stills, and four spirit stills. From 1966 until recently, Benrinnes practiced partial triple distillation, a process now discontinued in favor of a configuration using one wash still paired with two spirit stills. The distillery employs cast iron worm tub condensers, which impart a subtle sulfurous character to the new make spirit. With wide cut points ranging from 73% to 58% ABV, Benrinnes produces a robust, meaty new make. Production operates on two alternating schedules: a seven-day week yielding 21 mashes, or a five-day week yielding 15 mashes. The majority of Benrinnes' output supplies blended Scotch whiskies including J&B, Johnnie Walker, and Crawford's 3 Star. The sole official bottling is the 15-year-old Flora & Fauna expression. Limited releases include a 1996 vintage from the Manager's Choice series (2010) and a 21-year-old, 57% ABV special release in autumn 2014.