Benriach Unveils 31-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Shades of Smoke

Benriach Distillery has launched the first single malt Scotch whisky in its new Shades of Smoke series, a 31-year-old expression. Distilled in the spring and summer of 1994, this Speyside whisky showcases a softer side to Benriach's smoky character. The distillation year coincides with Benriach's commitment to producing sweeter styles of peated whisky.

This release continues Benriach's mission to explore diverse flavour profiles, a hallmark of the distillery since its acquisition by Brown-Forman (alongside The GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh). Benriach is known for producing three distinct styles of whisky; classic unpeated, highland peated, and triple distilled, and frequently matures them in a variety of cask types.

This new expression is presented in conjunction with a commissioned digital artwork, 'Mood Paintings', by generative artist Stefano Contiero. Benriach Master Blender Rachel Barrie states that Stefano's visual art perfectly echoes the ethereal qualities of this exceptional aged Benriach. Matured for 31 years, the whisky offers an elegant, lingering moment on the palate, where gentle juniper smoke is softly interwoven with rich fruit layers. She describes the flavour as an immersion in a chocolate cloud infused with hibiscus and spiced orange caramel, enveloped by the delicate warmth of Speyside smoke.

The original digital artwork, created by Italian-Dominican artist Contiero, was commissioned specifically for this limited edition release. The work draws inspiration from the tasting notes of the whisky, depicting vibrant clouds that flow like smoke. Several variations of the packaging exist, each capturing different moments of colourful smoke, lending subtle nuances to the entire series. Contiero remarks that tasting the whisky alongside Rachel Barrie helped him gain a deeper understanding of the whisky's composition and its vibrant creative spirit, inspiring him to use generative algorithms to organically express form and colour, much like the whisky's flavours unfurling over time.

2025-12-01

Source: https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-news/benriach-reveals-shades-of-smoke-31-year-old/