Jack Rose Brown Forman Tasting! Scotch Reviews (Benriach Malting Season 2nd Edition, Benriach Jack Rose Single Barrel, Glendronach 27 Year Cask Strength)
Background
It’s Spring Fling at Jack Rose and they put on a hell of a Brown Forman event to launch their new Benriach barrel- the excellently named “Friend’s with Benriach-efits”. As this tasting covered offerings from Brown Forman’s American Whiskey brands and Scotch brands, I figured why not do a simulcast review! In this edition we’ll be reviewing:
Benriach Malting Season 2nd Edition
Benriach 14 Year Cask Strength “Friends with Benriach-efits” Jack Rose Selection
Glendronach 27 Year Cask Strength
Also included in the tasting was 1979 Jack Rose from a Distillery Decanter, Woodford Reserve Five Malt Stouted Mash, and 2022 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon. Head on over to the American Whiskey review here if you’re curious for thoughts on those three. Without further ado, let’s get to the reviews!
Benriach Malting Season 2nd Edition (NAS, 97.8 Proof)
Nose: Caramel apples, apple wood, stewed pears.
Palate: Canned pears, sweet fruits, honeysuckle.
Finish: Light, delicate, orchard fruits, juicy juice boxes… as in a kind of watery fruit.
Good to Very Good (5.5/10)
Overall: Delicate, fruity, approachable. It’s not going to blow anyone away with a ton of flavor, but it’s a rock solid and approachable whiskey. Undoubtedly it’d be a great summer dram.
Benriach Jack Rose “Friends with Benriach-efits” 14 Year Oloroso Cask (14 Years, 124.8 Proof)
Nose: Raisinettes, but very chocolatey, raspberry chocolate bars.
Palate: Dark berries, blueberry compote, dark chocolate.
Finish: Figs, more blueberry, cocoa, cinnamon.
Great to Excellent (7.5/10)
Overall: A touch dry at times, but otherwise some exceptionally nice berry flavors. Honestly, I really enjoy this pick. It drinks sherry forward for sure, and there’s a lovely mix of fruit and chocolate. It’s clear this will be a bottle I continue to pick out more flavors from as I drink through it.
Glendronach Oloroso Sherry 27 Year (Distilled 1994) (27 Years, 108.6 Proof)
Nose: Cherry cordial, raspberry, gentle chocolate.
Palate: More cherry cordial! It's a touch waxy actually, just a touch. Gentle chocolate, touch of leather.
Finish: Cherry syrup, brown sugar, plum.
Incredible (9/10)
Overall: This is phenomenal. I honestly expected it to be more dense and closed off given the age. Instead, it’s just exceptionally rich and well balanced with these deliciously sweet Luxardo cherry notes.
Curious to see the American whiskey’s in this tasting? Check out that review here.
