Tasting notes for BenRiach Curiositas and Auld Reekie

[talisker10]

First attempt writing them in this style

BenRiach Curiositas (10yr):

Nose: Sea air, fresh, sweet (a bit like Talisker 10)

Mouth: Initially sweet tropical fruit (bananas, coconut, mango) then a LOT of sweet peat. Little smoke but a lot of peat.

Finish: Fading peat, lot of bananas, hint of salty, maritime taste

My rating (heck if other people can do it..why not): 7.5


Auld Reekie 10 yr (vatted):

Nose: Creamy and spicy

Mouth: Initially lemony then a lot of smoke and a lot of sweet peat.

Finish: Very long, zesty lemon and bananas, not much peat or smoke in the finish.

My rating: 9.0

[kwellada]

It's been awhile since I had that BenRiach, but it's a top 10 one for me.

[talisker10]

Hmm..Cool forum. I don't know I am just a small time novice who could not afford or would be able to try all those Indie bottlings.

Editing my tasting notes a bit:

BenRiach Curiositas (10yr):

Nose: Sea air, fresh, sweet (a bit like Talisker 10)

Mouth: Initially sweet tropical fruit (bananas, coconut, mango) then a LOT of sweet peat. Little smoke but a lot of peat. Also a burn, not an alcohol burn but not rough either.

Finish: Fading peat, lot of bananas, hint of salty, maritime taste

Note: Bottle recommends water. I would have to agree, with water the burn is soothed and the finish is fruitier

My rating (heck if other people can do it..why not): 7.2


Auld Reekie 10 yr (vatted):

Nose: Creamy and spicy

Mouth: Initially lemony then a lot of smoke and a lot of sweet peat.

Finish: Very long, zesty lemon and bananas, not much peat or smoke in the finish. Upon other tastings the finish is a bit too zesty, lemony..causes a drying. Still good though.

My rating: 8.0

[The Third Dram]

It's been awhile since I had that BenRiach, but it's a top 10 one for me.

I like it a lot as well. My notes on the Curiositas...

Colour: Light gold.
Nose: An aroma plush enough to sink into. Profound peat-reek unlike any other. Familiar, peripheral scents of decomposed vegetation and coal tar run into a plumper, smouldering, sweaty, animal-like fragrance bordering on the leathery. A whack of wood and a whiff of poached pears, not to mention some citrus-laced honey, come along for the ride.
Palate: Honeyed banana-pear puree and peat-drenched oak dance the tango, only to be followed by jabs of Jalapeño heat piercing through melt-in-the-mouth cookie batter malt. The characteristic Benriach nuttiness emerges much later in the proceedings when matters begin to meld and soften.
Assessment: A bit of a lightning bolt for anyone weaned on the previous 10 Year Old Seagram era version. That intrinsic Benriach sourdough mustiness has taken on a whole new dimension here with the stoking of the fires.

[talisker10]

You write much better than I but sounds like we more or less agree. I think though my 7.2 rating was too low upon reflection, maybe should be 8.2. Something I will definitely consider purchasing again. Isn't there an older (age wise) peated BenRiach also?

[The Third Dram]

Isn't there an older (age wise) peated BenRiach also?

Thank you for the kind comment. Yes... There is indeed a 21-year old peated version of Benriach that goes by the name Authenticus. I haven't had the opportunity to try this version as yet. Also, it's more than double the price of the Curiositas in my neck of the woods.

[UUNetBill]

Yes, my wife bought me a bottle of the 21 yo Authenticus for Christmas, but never having had the Curiositas, I can't compare the two, sorry.



(I do like that 21 yo, though!!)