Benrinnes 2009 Aged 11 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky – James Eadie (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 56.1%           Age: 11 Years            Country: Scotland

Cask Number(s): 354550
Date of Distilling: 08/06/2009
Date of Bottling: 2020
Matured In: a single ex-Bourbon Barrel then finished in a European Oak first fill ex-Pedro Ximenez Sherry Hogshead for 7 months
Un-Chillfiltered

James Eadie Ltd was founded by Rupert Patrick in 2016. Rupert is James Eadie’s great-great-grandson, who has held positions at Diageo, Beam and Ian Macleod Distillers. James Eadie founded a brewery in Burton-on-Trent in 1854, the same year he developed the Trade Mark X Scotch blend. The blend was extremely popular and was sold to Eadie’s chain of public houses throughout the 19th century. In 1933 James’s business was sold to Bass who continued producing the blend till 1947. The resurrection of the blend along with the structuring of the independent bottling company by Rupert means that James Eadie can be remembered again and his past work can be enjoyed once more. The James Eadie Independent bottling’s consist of cask strength selections from various Scottish distilleries. Each bottle describes the distillery, the abv and the date of distillation and bottling as well as the maturation technique.

The Benrinnes Distillery first produced spirit back in 1826 and was known originally between 1974 and 2007 for producing a partially triple distilled spirit. The distillery itself has been through a tough time, fires and floods have meant it has been rebuilt a number of times and been through a few owners. The distillery is now owned by Diageo and it is used for their well known blends. It was first well known though for producing spirit for use in Crawford’s blended whiskies and was known for its 15 year old vintage.

This single malt whisky was distilled in 2009 at the Benrinnes distillery before being placed in a single ex Bourbon Hogshead and left to mature for about 9 years. It was then then finished in a European Oak first fill ex-Pedro Ximenez Sherry Hogshead for 7 months. In 2020 it was bottled at 56.1% abv as part of the James Eadie Independent bottling ‘Cask Finishes’ range. Only 338 bottles were produced. Just smells like a glass of syrupy PX with a hint of tropical fruit from the spirit hiding behind the sweetness. There’s boiled raspberry sweets, sugar coated almonds and prunes for the sherry heads out there.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Just smells like a glass of syrupy PX with a hint of tropical fruit from the spirit hiding behind the sweetness. There’s boiled raspberry sweets, sugar coated almonds and prunes for the sherry heads out there.

Palate: The PX character is very elegant and grapey without having the winey character like some other examples on the market. Prickly malt punches through the sweetness to bring the dram back into the realm of a whisky rather than a sherry. It begins like strawberries and cream lollies and very quickly spins around to be an old and dignified style of whisky with mature oak character.

Finish: As the dried fruit character quickly moves toward, dark chocolate and antique furniture this is the perfect dram for a nightcap.