Benrinnes 14 Year Old 2009 Wilson & Morgan 1st Fill PX Finish

For this selection Wilson & Morgan married two casks of Benrinnes distilled in 2009, both finished for 36 months in first-fill Pedro Ximénez hogsheads: one lighter and sweeter, the other spicier and nuttier. The result is a full-strength Speyside, winey yet smooth and surprisingly nimble despite the pronounced PX.

The nose starts with a faint farmy note and opens onto vermouth and orange peel. The palate is fruity and mineral at once, honeyed and delicately spicy, between fruit salad and orange liqueur; towards the end pepper, warmth and tannins emerge. With a few drops of water it works well as an aperitif malt.