Benriach’s Smoky Quarter Cask celebrates the distillery’s use of peat, which began in the 1970s, harking back to whisky production of old, while breaking the conventional style of whisky from the Speyside region. The use of wood-rich Highland peat results in a sweet, smoky profile, and this expression is crafted with a balance of Benriach’s peated and unpeated spirit. Initially matured in bourbon barrels, the whisky is then transferred to bespoke quarter casks. The smaller cask size ensures greater interaction between the whisky and the oak, resulting in rewardingly rich layers of fruit, vanilla, and mellow wood smoke. Oh, and this is a litre bottle originally released for travel retail, so, even more, to go round!