Benriach Smoky Oloroso Puncheon 28 Years is a rare, deeply complex long-aged single malt from Benriach in Speyside, bottled in the distillery’s peated (“Smoky”) style and matured for an impressive 28 years in a large Oloroso sherry puncheon. With this kind of age, the whisky becomes less about raw power and more about harmony: slow-developed sherry richness, polished oak, and a steady ember-like smoke that runs through everything like a warm backbone.
The producer: Benriach (Speyside)
Benriach is known for its versatility. Unlike many Speyside distilleries, it has long produced both unpeated and peated spirit, allowing them to shape different expressions from the same elegant, fruit-led DNA. Benriach’s house character typically leans towards orchard fruit, honeyed malt and gentle spice, and in the “Smoky” style the peat tends to feel rounded and malty rather than medicinal, adding structure and depth rather than overpowering the spirit.
Why an Oloroso puncheon matters
A puncheon is a larger sherry cask, which often encourages a slower, more measured maturation—building depth without forcing the wood. Oloroso casks are prized for bringing:
roasted nuts, cocoa and dark caramel
dried fruit (raisins, figs, dates)
warming spice and a dry, wine-like grip
In a peated whisky, this combination can be stunning: the smoke reads like glowing charcoal against a backdrop of nutty sherry, dark fruit and polished oak, creating a luxurious, layered profile.
Tasting profile
Nose: Dried figs and raisins, orange peel, roasted nuts and toffee, with soft peat smoke and a hint of warming spice. Palate: Full-bodied and silky—sherry richness, cocoa and dark fruit, balanced by a steady smoky thread and well-integrated oak. Finish: Long and warming, with nutty sherry, gentle spice, cocoa and an elegant lingering smoke.
