Description

BenRiach 2011 Aged 11 Years Cask 2372 Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Infrequent Flyers #90 (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 57.2%           Age: 11 Years Old           Country: Scotland

Cask Number: 2372
Date of Distilling: 2011
Matured In: Ruby Port Puncheon then a Ruby Port Cask Finish
Un-Chillfiltered

IAlistair Walker is a highly respected and seasoned professional in the Scotch whisky industry, boasting over two decades of extensive experience. His career includes significant roles at prominent distilleries such as BenRiach, GlenDronach, and Glenglassaugh, providing him with a profound, hands-on understanding of whisky production, maturation processes, and cask management. He founded his own independent bottling company, the Alistair Walker Whisky Company, in 2018. This is his flagship brand, launched in July 2019. The name “Infrequent Flyers” is a clever reflection of his bottling philosophy: he actively seeks out and bottles whiskies from a diverse range of distilleries, often those whose single malt expressions are less commonly encountered on the market, or those that offer a particularly unique and distinctive character from an individual cask. This highlights the rarity and the specific, often surprising, nature of each release.

The BenRiach Distillery is situated near Elgin, in the heart of the Speyside region of Scotland. It stands on the site of the old Riach farm, drawing water from an underground aquifer. BenRiach was founded in 1898 by John Duff. Its early years were challenging, and it largely remained silent for over 60 years (from 1900 to 1965), though its traditional floor maltings continued to operate, supplying malt to nearby Longmorn. It was reopened in 1965 and has since gone through various owners, including Seagram and Pernod Ricard. A significant turning point came in 2004 when it was acquired by an independent consortium led by Billy Walker, who greatly expanded its range and brought it to prominence as a single malt. It was acquired by Brown-Forman (makers of Jack Daniel’s) in 2016, along with GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh. BenRiach is highly regarded for its experimental approach to whisky making, which sets it apart from many Speyside distilleries. It’s unique for producing three distinct styles of spirit, classic Speyside (unpeated), peated Speyside and triple distilled

This is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, distilled at BenRiach in 2011 and matured for 11 years. It was bottled from cask #2372, which was a Ruby Port Puncheon (and sometimes specified as having a Ruby Port Cask Finish, indicating it was transferred for a final period in this active cask). This type of cask typically imparts rich, fruity, and sometimes spicy characteristics. It was bottled at a high cask strength of 57.2% alc/vol and was a limited release of

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: An intriguing combination of sweet and fruity notes. Expect aromas of strawberry milkshake, marzipan, and a hint of berry cordial (like Vimto). Warm, buttery popcorn or toasted oats might also make an appearance, adding a comforting layer.

Palate: Creamy and soft on the entry, quickly becoming vibrant and intensely fruity. Think of a fruit basket filled with cranberries, blood orange, peaches, and apricots, with a touch of stewed raisins. Some playful notes like “Maoams” or “Opal Fruits” (tangy fruit chews), highlighting its super tangy and lively character. It can become quite spicy towards the end.

Finish: Vibrant, lively, and often quite spicy, with the fruity and sweet notes lingering pleasantly.

This bottling exemplifies how BenRiach’s adaptable spirit interacts with active wine casks, resulting in a lively, fruit-forward, and deeply engaging dram. A vibrant and fruit-driven expression that perfectly showcases BenRiach’s versatility and Alistair Walker’s skill in selecting impactful casks. It’s a fantastic example of a unique single cask experience.