🥃 Benrinnes
Distillery and single malt whisky brand on the slopes of Ben Rinnes near Aberlour (Speyside); history from 1826; six stills and worm tubs; owned by Diageo.
Benrinnes is a distillery and single malt Scotch whisky brand on the lower slopes of Ben Rinnes near Aberlour, in Speyside. It is known for six stills arranged in groups of three, and for partial triple distillation, used here from 1974 to 2007. It is owned by Diageo, and its whisky is used in Johnnie Walker blends.
History. The first distillery, Lyne of Ruthrie, was built by Peter Mackenzie in 1826, but a flood destroyed it in 1829. A new one was built a few miles away; Difford's Guide dates it to 1835. A major fire broke out in 1896. From 1896 to 1922 the distillery was owned by Alexander Edward, then by John Dewar & Sons; from 1925 by the Distillers Company, and from 1997 by Diageo.
How it is made. In 1966 the number of stills rose from three to six. The condensers are worm tubs, kept very cold so that the spirit is heavier. Water is taken from the Scurran and Rowantree streams, which run over granite; the malt is unpeated. Difford's Guide describes the distillation as “more than twice, but not quite three times”, while Whiskypedia says the distillery switched to ordinary double distillation in 2007.
The range. The first official single malt bottling appeared in 1991: a 15-year-old in the Flora & Fauna series, matured in sherry casks. Other releases are rare: special editions and independent bottlings.
Why this matters to you. Descriptions of almost triple distillation refer to spirit made before 2007, so check the distillation year on the bottle. This is single-distillery Scotch: at least 3 years in oak and at least 40% vol. The WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 1826 (Lyne of Ruthrie, Peter Mackenzie); after the 1829 flood a new distillery, dated 1835 by Difford's Guide; Aberlour, Speyside |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Speyside) |
| EU category | 2 — whisky |
| Raw material | unpeated barley malt; water from the Scurran and Rowantree streams |
| Distillation method | 6 copper stills in two groups of three; partial triple distillation 1974–2007, then double; worm tub condensers |
| Cask type | 15-year-old Flora & Fauna: sherry casks |
| Minimum maturation | at least 3 years in oak by law; main release 15 years |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | at least 40% vol. by law |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Benrinnes → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Diageo
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel, 🍷 Sherry
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Speyside whisky
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Johnnie Walker
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Benrinnes was distilled three times?
Not quite, and not any more. From 1974 partial triple distillation was used here, “more than twice, but not quite three times”; according to Whiskypedia, the distillery switched to double distillation in 2007.
Where does the name Benrinnes come from?
From Ben Rinnes, on whose slopes the distillery stands.
Who owns Benrinnes?
Diageo; from 1925 the distillery belonged to the Distillers Company, Diageo's predecessor.
What is the official Benrinnes bottling?
The 15-year-old in the Flora & Fauna series, first released in 1991 and matured in sherry casks.
Can you visit Benrinnes?
No, the distillery is closed to visitors.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🌍 Western Europe — France, the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg: a mild, moist climate, pastures and hundreds of cheeses such as Roquefort, Camembert, Gouda and Cheddar.
- 🧑🤝🧑 British — People of Great Britain; their protected West Country Cheddar matures for at least 9 months, and tea is drunk with milk.
Similar
🥃 Dailuaine · 🥃 Auchroisk · 🥃 Glen Elgin · 🥃 Linkwood · 🥃 Royal Lochnagar · 🥃 Knockdhu
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Scotchwhisky.com (Whiskypedia): Benrinnes (1826 Lyne of Ruthrie, flood 1829; fire 1896; Alexander Edward 1896–1922; DCL 1925; 6 stills in two sets of three; partial triple distillation 1974–2007; worm tubs; Scurran and Rowantree Burns; 15 YO Flora & Fauna 1991)
- Difford's Guide: Benrinnes Distillery (established 1835; Diageo; six stills grouped in threes; 'distilled more than twice but not quite triple'; Rowantree and Scurran streams; used in Johnnie Walker; 15 YO 1991)
- Malts.com (Diageo): Benrinnes 15 Year Old Flora & Fauna Single Malt Whisky (Speyside style, light sherry-wood note)
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)