Benriach 2014/2025 - 10 yo - Koval Rye Cask Finish - Murray McDavid

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 52.7% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

In this Benchmark bottling, Benriach’s fruity Speyside malt meets the influence of American rye whiskey casks. Distilled in 2014, the whisky first matured in a bourbon hogshead. It spent its final four years of maturation in 110-litre American oak barrels that had previously held rye whiskey from Chicago’s Koval Distillery. These barrels were filled with Scotch whisky for the first time for this finish.

The small casks increase the wood’s influence: rye spice and toasted notes complement pear, citrus and green apple, while fresh pine adds another accent. For the spring 2025 release, Murray McDavid bottled whisky from four casks, producing a total of 629 bottles at 52.7% alcohol. The whisky is not chill-filtered and contains no added colouring.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose brings together toasted grain, spiced pear and vanilla.
• Palate: Fresh pine, bright citrus notes and crisp green apple emerge on the palate.
• Finish: Hard caramel, oily malt and fresh grass linger on the finish.

Distillery/Bottler:

Founded in 1898, Benriach Distillery lies south of Elgin in Speyside and distilled the malt for this bottling. As the independent bottler, Murray McDavid oversaw its further maturation in Koval rye casks and brought together whisky from four casks for bottling.

Mark Reynier, Simon Coughlin and Gordon Wright founded Murray McDavid in 1994. The bottler began using a variety of casks for secondary maturation early on, particularly wine casks. Today, Murray McDavid operates at Coleburn Distillery in Speyside and belongs to Aceo Ltd.

Facts: