Berry Bros. & Rudd 1996 23 Years Blended Malt Whisky

Whiskyspace Notes 2356

Jul 6, 2026, 18:19:21

This dram's got a lovely deep gold colour, and the nose hits you with fresh squeezed pink grapefruits and lemon zest first – proper zingy. There's a touch of quince jelly sweetness underneath, like marmalades left to sit in the sun, plus this beeswax waxiness that’s oddly comforting. On the palate, it’s soft and easy, but then the spices kick in – pink pepper and something more exotic, maybe Szechuan? – with a bitter edge from the peel. The finish is this odd mix of jujubes and dried lichis, chewy and fruity, while a whisper of cigarette tobacco lingers like an old cardigan. White chocolate and maraschino sneak in too, like someone melted a Toblerone bar into the mix. Bit of a weird combo, but it works – leaves you thinking of Ukrainian blond cigarettes and citrus peel in the best way.

Whiskyspace Notes 2290

Jul 4, 2026, 21:43:07

Had a dram tonight and got this unexpected balance of dried lichis and dried apricots, a lovely touch of white chocolate and beeswax, with a bit of peel and a tart edge. There’s a hint of cigarette tobacco, like Ukrainian blond cigarettes, plus a whisper of sulphur and some Szechuan pepper spice. Feels rounder, raisin‑like notes and more spices warming the finish. 😊

Whiskyspace Notes 2003

Jun 25, 2026, 03:49:28

The first thing that hits you is this soft, easy smoothness, like honeyed apricots and those little dried lichis you’d find in a fancy sweet shop. Then there’s a tart kick from pink grapefruits and lemon, sharp enough to make your lips pucker a bit, but in a good way. It’s got this deep gold colour that makes you think of old wooden cabinets and marmalade jars. There’s a whisper of cigarette tobacco and Szechuan pepper, oddly comforting, like a damp evening in a pub garden. The finish is medium, with raisins and jujubes lingering, rounded out by something sweet and nutty, almost like a Toblerone bar melting on the tongue. A splash of quince jelly and maraschino cherry sweetness cuts through, but it’s the peppery warmth that stays, leaving a slightly bitter aftertaste. Weirdly balanced, like a jazz band playing in perfect harmony when they shouldn’t. 🥃

Whiskyspace Notes 1942

Jun 24, 2026, 05:46:23

The first thing that hits you is this bright, almost zesty lemon peel cutting through the deep gold liquid, like a morning cuppa with a twist. There's a creamy white chocolate sweetness lingering in the background, but it's not cloying - more like the kind you'd get from a proper tea-time treat. A touch of sulphur sneaks in, not unpleasant, just adding this earthy depth that makes you think of damp autumn leaves. The spices kick in next - pink pepper and something more exotic, maybe Timut? - giving it a slow-building heat that tingles on the tongue. Then come the jujubes and raisins, chewy and sweet like picking through a Christmas pudding. The quince jelly adds a fruity tang, while the peppers keep things lively without overwhelming. It's got this curious balance - bitter and sweet dancing together, with a beeswax smoothness in the middle. The finish is medium, leaving traces of cigarette tobacco and more of that pepper spice. Funny enough, it's like sipping something that reminds you of those Ukrainian blond cigarettes - rough around the edges but with a certain charm. 🥃

Whiskyspace Notes 1775

Jun 23, 2026, 11:45:37

Well, that first sip hits with a real tart zing, like fresh squeezed pink grapefruits straight away. It's a bit bitter, but then this lovely, unexpected balance just clicks into place. Deeper in, it turns into these rounder raisin-like notes and more fruit preserves – quince jelly maybe? Dried lichis and apricots come through too. Then the spices kick in, a nice hit of pink pepper and something like Szechuan tingle. There's a touch of maraschino and peel, even a hint of jujubes. The finish is medium, and there's this faint, intriguing whiff somewhere... reminds me of Ukrainian blond cigarettes or cigarette tobacco, just a touch. The liquid itself is a beautiful deep gold. It feels like it's got a bit of wine cask influence, but it's kept that soft, easygoing character. Overall, really pleasant. More spices build as you go back to it. A curious little dram. 🥃