Benrinnes 2006 Aged 16 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Infrequent Flyers #79 (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 57.0%           Age: 16 Years            Country: Scotland

Cask Number: 6137
Date of Distilling: 2006
Matured In: a Moscatel Hogshead
Un-Chillfiltered

Independent bottlers, have been around for a many years. They source whiskies from different distilleries throughout Scotland and around the world, and using their experience bottle them as single casks. These whiskies are then presented in their most natural form which includes no chill filtering, bottling at natural colour, and more options at cask strength.

Established in 2008 The Alistair Walker Company is based in Grangemouth in Central Scotland. Alistair has almost 20 years experience in the whisky industry and is not affiliated to any one distillery. Alistair’s career in the whisky industry began in January 1997, at Burn Stewart Distillers in a sales and marketing role for over six years. At that time Burn Stewart was the custodian of two single malt distilleries – Deanston and Tobermory. In October 2004, he joined The BenRiach Distillery Company, and remained with them for over twelve years, until the business was eventually sold. This was a new-start business, that had been set up in 2004 following the acquisition, by three entrepreneurs, of the BenRiach Distillery from Pernod Ricard. In addition to BenRiach, Alistair also had the good fortune to work with the GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh Distilleries, with BenRiach having acquired GlenDronach in 2008, and then Glenglassaugh in 2013. In 2018, Alistair found himself on hiatus, and contemplating what to do next.

Keen to be his own boss and also wishing to remain in the whisky sector, he decided to venture into the exciting world of independent bottling. Making the move from distillery to independent bottler is very much a case of ‘gamekeeper turned poacher’. Fortunately, independent bottling is a vibrant category at present; as more and more whisky enthusiasts are seeking out single cask bottlings and whisky releases that are a little different, somewhat unique, and often from less familiar distilleries.

The whiskies the are bottled under the brand name ‘Infrequent Flyers’. That name refers to the nature of many of the casks that are bottled – often whiskies from lesser-known distilleries that are of excellent quality, but have never been widely or consistently available. As such, many of the bottlings are of whiskies that you just don’t see so often – hence the name ‘Infrequent Flyers’.

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.

Only 282 bottles were produced for worldwide distribution.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Hints of caramel and warming spices mixed with the freshness of lemon peel.

Palate: Honeyed and candied nuts followed by the sweetness of dried stone fruits.

Finish: The nuttiness remains with hints of vanilla.