Sips & Sites & Bites

It’s that time of the year, when we cozy up to a wee dram of Scotch and warm by the fire. It’s malting season, if you will.

And Scotland’s Speyside distillery, Benriach, just launched the third annual bottling of their iconic Malting Season, a single malt that’s handcrafted using entirely malted barley from the distillery’s historic floor maltings.

Benriach is one of only eight distilleries in Scotland that continues to practice this century-old tradition that requires the delicate hand of Benriach’s team of dedicated craftspeople.

This Third Edition of Malting Season is made from concerto barley, chosen by Master Blender Rachel Barrie. The floor malted spirit slowly matures in virgin oak and first-fill bourbon casks giving a natural cask-imparted golden barley color. 

“Every year during ‘Maltings Season’ our team hand malt select barley onsite,” said Stewart Buchanan, Benriach global brand ambassador. “This historic process pays tribute to our founder, John Duff, and the slow craft of his historic maltings which we continue to this day in the pursuit of exceptional flavor. Each new addition of Malting Season uses carefully chosen barley types and individual bottling strengths, making each annual edition one of a kind in its own right.” 

The distiller’s notes show that Malting Season Third Edition has malt sweetness on the nose with wild bergamot, pear, and meadow sweet honey. The palate leads to flavors of clementine, floral honey, and gentle barley spice, followed by flavors of malted almond, apricot, and traces of wild cherry. 

The single malt clocks in at 48.3% ABV and has a suggested retail price of $165 for a 700ml bottle. Benriach Malting Season Third Edition is available in limited quantities in select markets. 

For more information, check out www.benriachdistillery.com.