Benrinnes 11 year old 1st-fill Oloroso Sherry Butts Finish - The Monuments of Scotland - Signatory

Profile: The Benrinnes 11 year old 1st-fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Finish - The Monuments of Scotland - Signatory at a glance

• The Monuments of Scotland: The series returns after a four-year hiatus
• Now in an elegant Ibisco decanter: Independently bottled at 50.8% ABV
• Monuments Series: Dedicated to the Tomnaverie Stone Circle
• Sherry Finish: Finished in 1st-fill Oloroso butts
• Natural State: Non-chill filtered & no added coloring

Portrait: What makes the Benrinnes 11 year old 1st-fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Finish - The Monuments of Scotland - Signatory special

Some stone circles continue to baffle archaeologists to this day. Others provide at least an excellent excuse to enjoy a fine dram. For the Benrinnes 11 year old “The Monuments of Scotland,” Signatory Vintage has chosen just such a mysterious location: the fascinating Tomnaverie Stone Circle in the Scottish Highlands.

With the return of the popular "The Monuments of Scotland" series after a four-year hiatus, the country’s famous landmarks are once again being paired with selected single malts. New features include not only the presentation in an elegant Ibisco decanter but also a robust bottling strength of 50.8% ABV. Carefully composed small batches thus transform into true "monument drams" - no admission ticket or hiking boots required.

The Tomnaverie Stone Circle is one of Scotland’s most impressive prehistoric monuments. These stone relics were erected around 4,500 years ago and continue to spark debate among researchers to this day. Whether the site served as a place of worship, an astronomical calendar, or a gathering spot for what were likely Scotland’s first whisky fans during the Bronze Age remains an open question. One thing is certain, however: the site’s mysterious character is a perfect match for Benrinnes.

The Benrinnes Distillery is situated at the foot of the mountain of the same name in Speyside and boasts a rich, eventful history. It was founded in 1826 but had to be rebuilt just a few years later following severe flooding. This resilience remains a defining characteristic of the distillery to this day. Benrinnes is one of the region's more underrated names, yet it enjoys an excellent reputation among connoisseurs for its distinctive style.

This single malt was distilled on April 22, 2015, and bottled in April 2026 after eleven years of maturation. For this small batch, first-fill ex-Oloroso sherry butts - specifically cask numbers 1, 2, 3, and 6 - were used. These butts, each with a capacity of around 500 liters, provided the foundation for this special bottling.

True to Signatory Vintage’s standards, the whisky is bottled without chill-filtration or added coloring. The result combines Scottish history, the art of traditional distilling, and a mysterious monument in a single bottle.

In other words: a whisky that answers fewer questions than the Tomnaverie Stone Circle - but brings significantly more joy.

Distilled: 22 April 2015
Bottled: April 2026
Cask Nos.: 1, 2, 3, 6

Tasting Notes: This is how the Benrinnes 11 year old 1st-fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Finish - The Monuments of Scotland - Signatory tastes like

• Nose: Robust and multi-layered with a savory depth. Dark, sweet aromas rise to the nose first, accompanied by the warm, inviting scents of freshly baked spiced cake.
• Palate: Full-bodied and full of character. A pleasant dark sweetness blends with spicy hints of spiced cake. The savory underlying structure lends the whisky added depth and complexity.
• Finish: Long and warming. Sweet, spicy notes of spiced cake linger, while the dark sweetness slowly fades, leaving a pleasantly robust impression.