Introducing Benriach The Sixteen Single Malt Scotch Back to the Core Lineup

by Phillip Galyean

Beloved Speyside Scotch whisky distillery Benriach announces the arrival of The Sixteen to its portfolio, reintroducing the ‘missing piece’ to its flavor-forward line-up of Single Malt Scotch whiskies.
Benriach The Sixteen was initially retired from the portfolio in 2016, and the iconic expression now returns with a reformulated recipe. The expression bridges the gap between the 12 and 21-year-old malts in the core lineup. To craft Benriach The Sixteen, Benriach spirit is three cask matured for at least 16 years in bourbon barrels, sherry and virgin oak casks.

Known for its long-standing tradition of distilling classic, peated and triple distilled whisky and a vast eclectic cask inventory sourced from around the world, the full Benriach portfolio has been artistically crafted by Master Blender Rachel Barrie and her team.

The three-cask matured spirit was previously one of Benriach’s most heavily decorated single malts, winning a host of industry accolades including Best Speyside Single Malt at the World Whisky Awards in 2015.

“The return of Benriach The Sixteen is a very special moment for the distillery as it is one of our most treasured expressions,” said Rachel Barrie, Master Blender for Benriach. “Our signature Speyside style blossoms at 10 years old, finding depth and richer layers of orchard fruit character as it turns 16. Our core flavor components of fruit, malt, and oak become more concentrated, enriched with age at 16 years old, bringing layers of stone fruit, smooth creamy malt, wild honey, and nutty oak spice.”

Benriach The Sixteen is bottled at 43% ABV and is available for an SRP of $115 from select retailers from February 2023.

Tasting notes 

Color: Bronze
Nose: Baked apple and creamy hazelnut malt with overtones of ginger-spiced apricot and honey
Palate: Spiced stewed apple, stone fruit, and mellow nutty oak, with honeyed malt and candied peel

You may also like