Benrinnes 12 yr "John Milroy" 2006 Whiskey 750ml

Benrinnes distillery has stood near Aberlour in Speyside since 1826, drawing water from the Scurran and Rowantree burns in the shadow of the mountain that shares its name. Until 2007 the distillery employed an unusual partial triple distillation process cooled by traditional worm tubs, a labor-intensive method now rarely seen in Scotch production, which historically gave Benrinnes spirit a heavier, more textured character than many of its Speyside neighbors.

This expression comes from The John Milroy Selection, an independent bottling line curated by Scottish whisky retailer John Milroy, whose London shop helped pioneer the single malt category more than four decades ago. Distilled in 2006 and bottled in 2019 after twelve years of maturation in a single refill hogshead, the whisky is presented at cask strength, 54.9% ABV, from an outturn of just 261 bottles, offering an unfiltered, single-cask expression of the distillery's pre-2007 style.

The nose opens with rosewater and gentle citrus, cut through by crisp apple skin. On the palate the whisky builds with a light, graceful touch, letting delicate fruit flavors unfold gradually rather than announcing themselves all at once. The finish is easy and light, closing on a well-balanced, lingering fruitiness rather than heavy oak or spice.