Benriach 2013 Triple Sherry Cask / Easter Treats [Tasted #695]

I've always had a soft spot for Benriach. From their creative use of casks to their mix of peated and unpeated styles, they’ve always stood out as a distillery.

We’ve followed Benriach’s journey for years—through revivals, reinventions, and releases that surprise and delight the whisky faithful. From the distillery’s humble beginnings in 1897 under John Duff, to its dormancy post-Pattison crash and its spectacular rebirth under Billy Walker in 2004, Benriach has always carved its own path.

This Speyside distillery has long been known for its eclectic cask use, malting traditions, and its spirit of experimentation. Under the creative guidance of Master Blender Dr Rachel Barrie, the past few years have seen Benriach embrace that innovation with bold new expressions like The Smoky Ten, Malting Season, and The Twenty One—a favourite of mine for its complex peated/unpeated balance and four-cask harmony.

This year, Benriach is bringing something a little special to Aussie whisky lovers, teaming up with KOI Dessert Bar and The Whisky Club to create two Easter indulgences. One for the dessert lovers, one for the whisky drinkers (or, both!).

KOI Dessert Bar has reimagined the classic hot cross bun into something far more decadent (or rather bougie and sweet :)) – the “Scotch Cross Bun.” This Easter-only treat is made with rich vanilla mousse and whisky-soaked currants, featuring Benriach’s The Original Ten as its boozy backbone. Available in KOI stores across Sydney and Melbourne from 11 April, it’s the kind of thing that pairs perfectly with a good dram – or two.

And speaking of drams, the Benriach 2013 Triple Sherry Cask is a one-off vintage crafted exclusively for The Whisky Club by Master Blender Dr Rachel Barrie. This Speyside gem has been matured in a trio of PX and Oloroso sherry casks, offering a bold, rich and dessert-like profile.

The cask story here is a clever one—a triple sherry cask maturation that brings together:

1. A full maturation in Oloroso sherry casks,
2. A whisky that was first matured in ex-Bourbon casks and then spent five years in Oloroso,
3. And another parcel that began in ex-Bourbon, then rested for four years in PX sherry casks.

Each component brings its own personality to the mix—nutty dryness from the Oloroso, syrupy richness and dried fruit from the PX, and a core of honeyed vanilla from the ex-Bourbon.

As Dr Rachel Barrie puts it:

“You might find a cherry and chocolate torte… then into lovely almond, orange and deep tiramisu. And that is served with a delicious macchiato. So very rich, multi-layered, but still delicate. And that’s the beauty of Benriach.”

I had the chance to sit down with the Triple Sherry Cask, and it didn’t disappoint. It's a sherry bomb, on the nose, it’s fruit cake, rum and raisins, rich caramel and creamy tiramisu. The palate is rich, syrupy, follows through with tiramisu cake, cream puff, and some nutmeg and warming ginger spice.

The 2013 Triple Sherry Cask is a fantastic example of what the Benriach distillery does so well: bold flavour, clever cask work, and loads of character. Along with KOI’s Scotch Cross Bun and you’ve got the ultimate Easter indulgence.

Benriach 2013 Triple Sherry Cask [Whisky Club Bottling] (48.4% ABV, Speyside, Scotland, A$125)

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Nose: Fruit cake, rum and raisins, and a rich wave of caramel. There’s creamy tiramisu in there too, along with a hint of cherry—like a boozy dessert platter fresh from the kitchen.

Palate: It's a sherry bomb, all indulgences and very rich. Tiramisu cake, rum and raisin, cream puffs, a sprinkle of nutmeg, and a warming hit of ginger spice. It’s very decadent and rich, with chocolate shavings, sweet date, and a slight tartness to balance things out.

Finish: Long, smooth, and warming. The ginger spice lingers beautifully, carrying the sweetness through to the end.

Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 92/100 (Hendy) 

Whether you’re after a unique whisky to sip on over the long weekend or just looking for something to pair with your Easter sweets, this is one release that hits the mark.

Cheers
Hendy