Benrinne's 21 yo Grand Crescendo - Diageo Special Releases 2024

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 55.4% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

An unusually long secondary maturation shapes Benrinnes Grand Crescendo. After eight years in refill casks, it spent thirteen years in wine-seasoned American and European oak casks and rejuvenated casks with charred ends. Refill means that the casks had been used before; it does not specify how many times.

This 21-year-old single malt is part of the Diageo Special Releases 2024 and was bottled at 55.4%. Ripe orchard and stone fruit, caramel and toffee define its fruity sweetness, balanced by spice and a light salty note. Dark fruit, figs, stewed pear and caramelised apple add further depth. The whisky is not chill-filtered and contains no added colouring. The 0.7-litre bottle comes in a tube.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose starts gently and grows richer, bringing together baked apple, pear and peach with caramel and Scottish toffee.
• Palate: On the palate, the whisky is firm and full-bodied, with a dense texture and fruity, sweet and spicy notes. A hint of salt balances its intensity.
• Finish: The finish is long and soft, ending dry and spicy while leaving a refreshing impression.

Distillery/Bottler:

Benrinnes is located in Speyside and belongs to Diageo. The distillery was founded in 1826 and rebuilt at a new site after a flood in 1829. Its spirit is condensed in traditional coiled copper condensers known as worm tubs. Until 2007, Benrinnes used a distinctive form of partial triple distillation before switching to double distillation. Grand Crescendo was distilled under the earlier system. Diageo released the whisky as a distillery bottling in its Special Releases 2024.

Facts: