Benriach marries art and smoke in the new Shades of Smoke whisky

Friday, 28 November 2025 at 08:03

Benriach has unveiled its latest whisky: a 31-year-old that blends smoke with digital art. This is the Benriach Shades of Smoke whisky.

FAQ

Where is the Benriach distillery located?
The distillery is in Elgin, Scotland, in the Speyside region.

What type of whisky does Benriach Distillery make?
The distillery primarily produces single malt whisky.

Who did Benriach collaborate with for the Shades of Smoke whisky?
Stefano Contiero, an Italian artist.

For the new Shades of Smoke whisky, Benriach teamed up with Italian-Dominican artist Stefano Contiero. He drew inspiration from the tasting notes and the smoky character of this 1994 Benriach vintage.

From that, he created an expansive, entirely digital artwork. The Italian’s work forms the foundation of the whisky’s packaging.

Each bottled release is unique, thanks to the way the labels and box are produced. Every label and every box carries a distinct fragment of the artwork.

What is the Benriach Shades of Smoke whisky?

The Speyside whisky itself was crafted by Dr. Rachel Barrie, master blender at Benriach. The exact cask makeup has not been disclosed. Barrie describes the whisky as “a work of art for the senses.” The master blender is very pleased with the 31 year old whisky and mentions tastes of juniper smoke and lush fruit flavors on a gentle palate.

What are the tasting notes of the Benriach Shades of Smoke whisky?

The whisky comes with detailed flavor information. Expect notes of yuzu, wildflower honey, and juniper smoke.

You can also look for chocolate with hibiscus, orange caramel with wild honey, and mandarin. Toward the finish, lingering lemon-ginger emerges. The whisky is bottled at 48.1% alcohol by volume (ABV).