BenRiach Single Barrel Virgin Oak Review

Aged exclusively in new oak, this BenRiach Single Barrel Virgin Oak is what Scotch would taste like if it was aged like many American Single Malts. It’s something that other brands, like Auchentoshan, have done before, but it’s always fun trying what another distilleries whisky will taste like when it’s aging in a fresh barrel.

BenRiach Single Barrel Virgin Oak

Though, while it is interesting, it’s not my favorite thing… and neither is the Auchentoshan Virgin Oak. To my mind, using virgin oak with Scotch kind of defeats the point of Scotch. The oak overwhelms quickly and covers up the spirit; missing out on the nuances it picks up as it matures in used cooperage. More details in the Scotch review below.

BenRiach Single Barrel Virgin Oak Review: Details and Tasting Notes

In BenRiach’s Words:

Each year, BenRiach’s Master Blender selects a small number of casks that have developed to their peak of individual character. They include whiskies that have been aged in virgin American oak barrels and port pipes. The whiskies are individually hand-numbered, non-chill filtered and bottled with its natural color. Each is unique and and exclusive to the US market.

Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)

Region: Speyside, Scotland

Distiller: BenRiach
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: Virgin Oak
Age: 10 Years
ABV: 59.4%

Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Cask: 7367

Price: $95*

Tasting Notes

EYE
Ruddy copper

NOSE
Chocolate, oak, roasted malt, vanilla, caramel, hay, dirt, minerality, dried fruit, young wood and spice.

PALATE
Roasted malt, chocolate, spice, vanilla, young oak, dried fruit, hay and oil with a bit of an herbal punch.

FINISH
Medium -> young oak, char, banana and caramel.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Decent balance, full body and oily feel.

far from terrible, but also not that great. It’s just a whole lot of “ok”.

BenRiach Single Barrel Virgin Oak Review: Overall and Score

Not a bad whisky, I’d never turn down a glass, but does show why Scotch typically doesn’t use virgin wood. Aroma is roasty and dark with chocolate and earthy notes and has a bit of that craft whiskey raw wood essence to it. On the palate the raw wood/young oak profile gets bolder and more noticeable, but the fruit also kicks up a bit to help balance. Finish is rather woody with some sweet and charred notes.

I’m not going to sugar coat it, the BenRiach Single Barrel Virgin Oak is one of my least favorite BenRiachs I’ve had. It’s still far from being terrible, but it’s also just not something I’m in any way motivated to go out of my way to try again. As much as I love innovation, this is one mini-trend BenRiach should skip and just keep putting out the great whisky they have been.

SCORE: 82/100 (B-)