BenRiach Solstice Second Edition 17 Year Old Port Finish | BenRiach

A Rare Heavily Peated Speyside Expression

BenRiach Solstice Second Edition 17 Year Old is a limited-production Speyside single malt that brings together pronounced peat smoke and the rich fruit character of Portuguese tawny port wood. Bottled in 2011 at 50% ABV, this distinctive release was initially matured in ex-bourbon barrels before receiving a tawny port finish. Presented in its original display box, it offers an increasingly uncommon opportunity to explore an earlier generation of BenRiach's experimental, heavily peated single malts.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Stewed red berries, blackcurrants, and ripe strawberries emerge alongside earthy peat smoke, toasted cereals, and subtle notes of fortified wine.
• Palate: Rich and expressive, with roasted nuts, sweet malt, dried fruits, and warming peat smoke. Port-influenced berry sweetness balances the whisky's robust, smoky character.
• Finish: Long and warming, with lingering peat, dark fruit sweetness, gentle oak, and a subtle medicinal smokiness.

Specifications

• Classification: Scotch Whisky
• Style: Single Malt, Heavily Peated
• Region: Speyside, Scotland
• Distillery: BenRiach
• Bottler: BenRiach
• Series: Solstice – Second Edition
• Bottled: 2011
• Age: 17 Years
• Maturation: Ex-Bourbon Barrels
• Finish: Portuguese Tawny Port Casks
• ABV: 50%
• Colouring: Natural Colour
• Filtration: Non-Chill Filtered
• Volume: 700ml
• Style of Bottling: Limited Production, Distillery Bottling
• Edition: Second Edition
• Presentation: Includes Original Box

About the Bottling

Released during an especially adventurous period in BenRiach's modern history, Solstice Second Edition showcases the distillery's willingness to challenge traditional Speyside expectations. The combination of heavily peated spirit, bourbon maturation, and tawny port finishing creates a distinctive contrast between smoky intensity and concentrated fruit sweetness.

Now an older discontinued expression, this 17 year old release holds particular interest for enthusiasts of historic BenRiach bottlings, unusual cask finishes, and heavily peated Speyside whisky. Its original presentation and clearly identified second-edition status add further appeal for collectors seeking examples from the distillery's earlier experimental portfolio.

About the Distillery

Established in 1898 in the heart of Speyside, BenRiach developed a reputation for producing both traditional unpeated malt and characterful peated whisky, an uncommon combination within the region. Particularly under the direction of master distiller Billy Walker, the distillery became celebrated for inventive wood management and distinctive limited releases. Expressions such as Solstice reflect an important chapter in BenRiach's evolution into one of Speyside's more adventurous single malt producers.

Archive Notes

Please review all product images carefully. Minor cosmetic wear to labels, capsules, cartons, or presentation cases may be present due to age, long-term storage, or secondary-market sourcing.

Natural variation in fill level, packaging condition, and label ageing can occur in older releases and forms part of the character of mature collectible whisky.

Archive Release

Privately sourced and released in strictly limited quantities. Availability is finite and unlikely to be repeated once sold.

Not every bottle is meant to be found.