Benriach 12 Year Old Chinese New Year Edition: Year of The Dragon

Festive limited releases sometimes put all their effort into the box and forget about the whisky inside, which is why this bottle stands out. Beneath the gold and red Year of the Dragon packaging sits Benriach The Twelve, a rich, fruit forward Speyside single malt that easily holds its own long after the celebrations wrap up. It brings plenty of warm dried fruit and honeyed sweetness to the table without feeling overly heavy or sweet.

Benriach 12 Year Old Chinese New Year Edition: Year of The Dragon

Brand: Benriach | Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky | ABV: 46% | Origin: Speyside, Scotland

Tasting Profile:

• Nose: Rich maple honey, cocoa, and baked orchard fruits with a gentle hint of toasted oak.

• Palate: Smooth, rounded, and medium bodied, layering maraschino cherry, baked apple, and sweet spice with a touch of roasted hazelnut.

• Finish: Medium to long, leaving a warm trail of sultanas, spiced mocha, and soft oak.

Production Details: Master Blender Rachel Barrie matures this spirit for at least 12 years across three distinct cask types: sherry casks, bourbon barrels, and port casks. Marrying these three woods together builds a balanced profile where bright fruit and vanilla sit comfortably alongside deeper dried fruit and chocolate notes.

Perfect For: Gifting during Lunar New Year gatherings, or bringing out after a big family dinner when you want something sweet, warm, and crowd pleasing.

Expert Notes: Part of Benriach's acclaimed core range relaunch under Master Blender Rachel Barrie, Benriach The Twelve has earned multiple Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its approachable, triple cask richness.

Customer Reviews:

"Bought this for a family dinner and everyone kept reaching for it. Smooth, fruity, and the dragon box looks great on the shelf." Kenji T.

"Really solid 12 year old Speyside. The port and sherry casks give it a nice rich sweetness without hiding the malt." Paolo V.

Interesting Fact: Unlike most modern Speyside distilleries, Benriach still maintains its own traditional floor maltings on site and experiments with unpeated, peated, and triple distilled spirit styles.

Serving Suggestions: Pour it neat in a tulip shaped glass to let the dried fruit and cocoa notes open up, or add a single large ice cube if you are enjoying it during a warm evening gathering.

Distillery Background: Founded in 1898 by John Duff in the heart of Speyside, Benriach survived decades of closure before reopening and earning a reputation for creative cask maturation. Today, the distillery continues to pair classic Speyside fruit character with multi cask aging.