Tasting notes

Ben Bracken Highland Peated

The discounter LIDL has several single malts in its range, including the Ben Bracken Highland Peated, which is described as powerful and intense. We took a closer look at the whisky.LIDL does not reveal which distillery is behind Ben Bracken. All we know is that we have a whisky from the Highlands at a bargain price in our glass. The packaging is brown, which distinguishes it from the other whiskies in the series. There is also a Highland whisky, an Islay Scotch and a bottling from Speyside.

The panel

Marcel
60
Sascha
62

Mean 61.0 · spread 2

Value for money 4/5

Bottler
Clydesdale
Type
Single Malt
Region
Highlands
Country
Scotland
Strength
40% ABV
Character
spicy

Tasting

Nose

Peated and smoky are hardly found here. Earthy and maritime-salty aromas are present. Apple, vanilla and caramel resonate, but are rather weak.

Palate

This scotch tastes extraordinarily thin and sweet. You have to search again to find the promised peat-smoke. We detect a maritime saltiness and a slightly peppery aroma. All in all, not unpleasant.

Finish

A trace of smoke and maritime saltiness lingers for a medium length.

Verdicts

Marcel

Those expecting a smoky flavor explosion will be disappointed – the Ben Bracken Highland Peated is more of a delicate companion with a slight salty note and sweet hints. For the low price, it’s certainly worth enjoying now and then, as long as you don’t expect too much.

Sascha

The promised intensity and smoke fall well short with the Ben Bracken Highland Peated; the whisky shows a weak structure with a thin texture and unbalanced sweetness. It may be acceptable in the low-budget segment, but true fans of peaty, smoky Highland whiskies should keep looking.

What it is worth

No auction record for this distillery, so we cannot tell you what this bottle is worth. We would rather say that than guess.

Source

Tasting note and scores by WHISKY:EDITION — tasted by Marcel and Sascha, published 2022-09-21.