Benrinnes 2011 / 14 Year Old / Cask 305258 / Adelphi Speyside Whisky

Valentina Ricci — Good but not mindblowing

7/10

Decent dram but I expected a bit more complexity for a 14 year old single cask. The nose is promising — toffee, raisins, some baking spice — but the palate feels a touch one-dimensional. Still perfectly enjoyable neat and the cask strength is welcome. Fair price for what it is.

Elena Vasquez — My new favourite after-dinner pour

9/10

This is exactly what I want after a meal. Rich dark fruit, Christmas cake, a gorgeous long finish with cinnamon and dark chocolate. I usually add a splash of water to anything over 55% but honestly this drinks beautifully at full strength. Cask 305258 is a winner.

Olivia Park — Good but not mindblowing

7/10

Decent dram but I expected a bit more complexity for a 14 year old single cask. The nose is promising — toffee, raisins, some baking spice — but the palate feels a touch one-dimensional. Still perfectly enjoyable neat and the cask strength is welcome. Fair price for what it is.

Sara Lindstrom — Good but not mindblowing

7/10

Decent dram but I expected a bit more complexity for a 14 year old single cask. The nose is promising — toffee, raisins, some baking spice — but the palate feels a touch one-dimensional. Still perfectly enjoyable neat and the cask strength is welcome. Fair price for what it is.

Priya Sharma — My new favourite after-dinner pour

9/10

This is exactly what I want after a meal. Rich dark fruit, Christmas cake, a gorgeous long finish with cinnamon and dark chocolate. I usually add a splash of water to anything over 55% but honestly this drinks beautifully at full strength. Cask 305258 is a winner.

Emily Thomas — My new favourite after-dinner pour

9/10

This is exactly what I want after a meal. Rich dark fruit, Christmas cake, a gorgeous long finish with cinnamon and dark chocolate. I usually add a splash of water to anything over 55% but honestly this drinks beautifully at full strength. Cask 305258 is a winner.

Samir Patel — Punches well above its price

9/10

For under £92 this is genuinely impressive single cask Speyside. Big sherried fruit on the nose — stewed plums, orange peel — then it opens up with honey and a dry spice finish. At 56.2% it handles water beautifully, just a few drops and it blooms. Adelphi have picked a cracker here.

Marco Andretti — Punches well above its price

9/10

For under £92 this is genuinely impressive single cask Speyside. Big sherried fruit on the nose — stewed plums, orange peel — then it opens up with honey and a dry spice finish. At 56.2% it handles water beautifully, just a few drops and it blooms. Adelphi have picked a cracker here.

Oscar Delgado — Punches well above its price

9/10

For under £92 this is genuinely impressive single cask Speyside. Big sherried fruit on the nose — stewed plums, orange peel — then it opens up with honey and a dry spice finish. At 56.2% it handles water beautifully, just a few drops and it blooms. Adelphi have picked a cracker here.

Clara Johansson — Punches well above its price

9/10

For under £92 this is genuinely impressive single cask Speyside. Big sherried fruit on the nose — stewed plums, orange peel — then it opens up with honey and a dry spice finish. At 56.2% it handles water beautifully, just a few drops and it blooms. Adelphi have picked a cracker here.

Tyler Bennet — Nice but the sulphur note bothers me

7/10

I'm a bit sensitive to sulphur and this has a whiff of it on first pour that I can't quite get past. Once it airs out there's lovely honey and orchard fruit underneath. With water it mellows into something really pleasant. At £91 it's reasonable for a single cask but I'd want to try before committing to a full bottle.

Diana Cruz — Great value single cask

8/10

Paid just under £92 for a cask strength 14 year old single cask — try finding that from the big bottlers. Rich nose of dried fruit and toffee, the palate delivers on the promise with some nutty malt and gentle oak. I drink mine with one ice cube and it's become a regular weeknight treat.

Freya Lindqvist — Solid independent bottling

8/10

I've had a few Adelphi releases and this Benrinnes holds up. Neat it's got a lovely waxy quality with dried apricot and a hint of sulphur that blows off after ten minutes in the glass. 14 years has treated this well — not over-oaked, still has that classic Benrinnes meatiness underneath.

Natasha Volkov — Classic Benrinnes character

8/10

If you know Benrinnes you know that slightly meaty, weighty Speyside style and this has it in spades. The 56.2% ABV carries loads of flavour without being hot. I keep coming back to the finish which just lingers with nutmeg and stewed fruit. Would happily buy another bottle at that price.

Gianluca Ferro — Classic Benrinnes character

8/10

If you know Benrinnes you know that slightly meaty, weighty Speyside style and this has it in spades. The 56.2% ABV carries loads of flavour without being hot. I keep coming back to the finish which just lingers with nutmeg and stewed fruit. Would happily buy another bottle at that price.

Maxwell Green — Solid independent bottling

8/10

I've had a few Adelphi releases and this Benrinnes holds up. Neat it's got a lovely waxy quality with dried apricot and a hint of sulphur that blows off after ten minutes in the glass. 14 years has treated this well — not over-oaked, still has that classic Benrinnes meatiness underneath.

Luna Chavez — Solid independent bottling

8/10

I've had a few Adelphi releases and this Benrinnes holds up. Neat it's got a lovely waxy quality with dried apricot and a hint of sulphur that blows off after ten minutes in the glass. 14 years has treated this well — not over-oaked, still has that classic Benrinnes meatiness underneath.