Some Single Cask bottles from Binny’s and other stuff
Teeling Single Malt, Binny’s SP, Chestnut Cask, 58.7%
This is a NAS, but young, single malt, aged in Chestnut Cask #77557. If you’re not familiar, Teeling Distillery in Dublin was founded in 2015, so any malt distilled prior to that is from the shuttered Cooley distillery. I’m fairly sure that this particular bottle, at this point in time, is original Teeling. The nose reminds me of old furniture and wood chips—syrupy sweet, lightly nutty, yet somewhat yeasty, with an unexpected cinnamon-raisin note. Basically, it smells like the inside of an alcoholic cinnamon-raisin bagel. Palate is… rather hot initially, with more cinnamon and raisin notes, toasted sugars, and a touch of wood. The aftertaste lingers for an incredible length of time (I’ve taken a 20-minute break at one point and could still taste it), with a subtle maltiness and cinnamon sugar. Overall: Interesting and different cask. A reasonably enjoyable malt and not something I would come across every day. FOMO is pleased that I’ve tried it. Value: Highly pleased after picking it up at $50 on clearance.
Score: B-
Compass Box, Artist’s Blend, Binny’s SP, 49%
Did someone say “ex-Linkwood Palo Cortado sherry cask finish”?! Oh yeah, I’m a sucker for single casks like these. The nose is somewhat grainy, as expected of a grain-and-malt blend that Artist’s Blend is… but most thoughts about grain whiskey disappear on the palate. Linkwood in general tends to be a heavy, malty, somewhat spicy distillate, and it really shows here. Lots of fruity and peppery flavors, a malty, velvety palate, and what is essentially a second-fill sherry cask rounding off the flavors with subtle nuttiness and sugar notes. Frankly, blind, this tastes a lot like something from a refill bourbon cask. Overall: Honestly, blends hardly ever get better than this one. It’s immensely drinkable without being overwhelming and carries enough complexity to satisfy almost anyone. Two thumbs up from me… Value: Picked up at $49—well worth it.
Score: B+
Ardnamurchan; Binny’s SP, 58.5%
I have no idea how to read this but here you go: AD/12:16, Cask 1322. A young highland distillery owned by Adelphi. They typically do 50/50 peated/unpeated malt blends in their releases but this particular cask happens to be unpeated first fill spanish oak, ex-PX hogshead. The nose is very dry cherry forward with wood and spices backing up that cherry note. The patate is consistent with the nose and starts quite strong, then immediately settles into earthy cask spices, dry wood and non-smoky touch of wood ash. The aftertaste lingers for a while with more cherries, wood spice and some of that sherry woodiness. Overall: This really rather reminds of me of a dry A’bunadh… or a well-toasted cherry pie that was baked on a campfire, without getting smoke all over it… First time trying this distillery and I’m very impressed. Being a spectacular cask does not hurt. Value: Picked this up at $80 from Binny’s clearance… yet again well worth it.
Score: B+
Glengoyne 16, K&L SP, Old Malt Cask, 58.7%
Aged in refill butt #HL20938. Very oily, with epic runners on the glass—this cask was ready to give and give and give! The nose brings fruitcake in the best way: dark stone fruits and berries take the lead, with a subtle hint of mint in the background. The palate starts mellow and sweet but quickly shifts to a bold mix of spice and fruit. The aftertaste is packed with chili pepper heat and a touch of peppermint. Surprisingly intense for a refill, it feels slightly over-oaked, with a bitterness riding along with the spice. A few drops of water help mellow out the harsh edges, transforming the bitterness into a more pleasant, nutty richness—think near-burnt honey-roasted cashews. Water is definitely recommended. Overall: A unique and layered malt with an unusually spicy character straight from the bottle. Too intense for me to enjoy neat, but with a bit of dilution, it opens up beautifully.
Score: B+ (w/water)
Benrinnes 19, Old Malt Cask, 50%
This was aged in a Canasta (sherry liqueur) cask and bottled for OMC’s 25th anniversary in 2023, complete with the old-style label. For reference, this is another release from the same series as the Linkwood reviewed earlier. The nose is slightly sour, funky, and sweet—classic sherry cream—and at 50% ABV, it’s surprisingly punchy. With time in the glass, it settles into a nicely sweet balance. The palate is mouth-watering, flavorful, and nutty, yet oddly lacking in substance. The cask takes center stage, while the malt plays second fiddle. The aftertaste is medium in length—gentle and sweet, with a note of hot pepper. Overall: An excellent, if sweet, cask that unfortunately overwhelms the delicate spirit. That said, it doesn’t stop me from consuming it in frankly dangerous amounts—it’s crazily drinkable. Think chili cream soda with alcohol. Value: Priced at $120… that’s not exactly cheap for such a light spirit, but fair considering the age—so I’d call it “average-ish” value.
Score: B+
—
Scoring Breakdown: https://www.aerin.or … age=scores_breakdown