Benrinnes 2008 12 YO Ratafia Champenois cask

Benrinnes 2008 12 YO Ratafia Champenois cask, 48 %

A release from independent bottler Champagne Dumangin J. Fils. This whisky was distilled November 2008, and bottled April 2021. It has received a 23 month finish in a Ratafia Champenois cask (cask #T-029). The total outturn was 347 bottles. The bottle neck is labeled “batch 013”.

What is “ratafia” you might ask? I did as well, and this is what Wikipedia replied with:

“Ratafia de Champagne is a fortified wine, a type of mistelle, a mixture of marc (grappa) and the unfermented juice of the grape, produced in the Champagne region of France.”

I am also told that it is very similar to Pineau des Charentes. So there you go; nothing to be afraid of, I believe.

The Benrinnes 2008 12 YO Ratafia Champenois cask goes on sale in Norway this coming Monday at NOK 1341 (13803001).

Nose: Wet oak planks and sawdust. Cabbage and weird vegetal notes. Well, that was an odd start.

Taste: Medium to light body. Veeery strange and sweet vegetal notes on the palate here. What is going on..?

Finish: Medium long finish. Vegetal notes all over the place and artificial sweetener.

Comment: I really have no idea what to make of this. It certainly is very odd and unusual.

Score 74/100

Sláinte!
- Thomas