After previously reviewing the first two whiskies in the BenRiach heavily peated wood finished series (Albariza which I liked a lot and Dunder which I didn’t like much), it’s time review the third offering in the series, BenRiach Latada.

The Latada (named after the trellised vine system on the island of Madeira) was matured in American oak casks and then finished in Madeira casks for unspecified time. Only 4001 bottles were made (gotta love the non-round number!), bottled at 46% ABV, natural colored and is non chill filtered.

BenRiach Latada 18 Year Old (46%, £79.99/€105.00)

Nose: Light and sweet gentle smoke rises up, sweet peat, cured meat in sweet fruit sauce, canned apricots with vanilla topping. With time, it gets fruitier with more apricots and also peaches with whipped malt cream. I must admit the nose is great.

Palate: A bit unexpected on the deliver with dry peat smoke with a touch of bitterness, smoked meat, short burst of  fruit and vanilla sweetness and then back to the dry smoke and meat theme.

Finish: Medium length, smoky, lingering bittersweet coarse/chaffing wood, traces of apricots, white pepper and long lasting dry smoke.

Thoughts: It starts with a winner but eventually it’s graded down to good just because of the overly dry smoke note throughout the palate and finish. I can’t help but compare it to the similar single cask (peated and finished in Madiera) I reviewed before and the Latada pales in comparison.