BenRiach

BenRiach stands just south of Elgin in Speyside. It was founded in 1898 by John Duff, but closed within a few years and stayed silent for most of the twentieth century, though its floor maltings kept working for the neighbouring Longmorn distillery. Production restarted in 1965.

After decades under large owners, the distillery was bought in 2004 by an independent group led by Billy Walker, which built up a wide range of official bottlings. Since 2016 it has belonged to Brown-Forman, together with its sister distilleries GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh.

The house style is fruity and honeyed, but BenRiach has also distilled peated spirit for decades, which is unusual in Speyside. Its own floor maltings have been brought back into use for occasional releases such as Malting Season, made from barley malted on site.

The core range today includes The Original Ten, The Twelve, Smoky Twelve and The Thirty, and buyers will also meet Curiositas, Peated Quarter Casks, Peated Cask Strength batches, older Authenticus releases and wine finishes such as the 16 Year Old Claret Finish. Single casks from named vintages appear regularly.

BenRiach is also often bottled independently, by firms such as Signatory Vintage, Gordon & MacPhail, Douglas Laing, Hunter Laing, Càrn Mòr and That Boutique-y Whisky Company.