Tonight (March 4th) I’m finishing off two Ben Nevises.
Ben Nevis is one of those character malts sought after by enthusiasts, at least the 20yo+ ones. I remember friends in my whisky club adoring Ben Nevis for it’s “cheesy” qualities. Some of us had the chance, under rather crazy circumstances at a whisky industry event, where our club committee had essentially been invited as “table fillers”, to simply help ourselves to some amazing 45yo Ben Nevis. But at the point that bottle was brought out we were too smashed to really know to appreciate it, having spent hours playing whisky-gambling games for “charity”. Story for another time perhaps…
The first BN of the night I bought online in February 2022 for €39,90 and I opened it not long after. Now pretty much a year later it’s time to end it.
Whisky Review
Ben Nevis 8yo v. 2013 at 46%
by Signatory Vintage (Un-Chillfiltered Collection)
Vatting of two bourbon hogsheads • Un-chillfiltered • Natural colour
The nose first hits me with fresh fruit: mostly melon (honeydew), then also citrus (lemon curd, grapefruit). There is a minerality, that together with a slightly savoury note makes me think of shellfish and sea spray. The palate is quite consistent with the nose. There is a slight bitterness and ashiness that gives some structure to the taste experience. The finish is short to medium. Overall it’s a “bright” whisky, that’s quite accessible but also interesting enough.
Verdict:⭐ Notable Quality
Now, I wrote a private review of this whisky on whiskybase.com in July 2022. I did not re-read the old review before writing the above tasting notes. Let’s compare now!
I definitely stand by melon and citrus as being more accurate fruity notes for this whisky. The minerality / shellfish impression I seem to be consistent about, as well as the slightly bitter / ashy taste. Good enough.
Next dram, please!
Backstory: I tried this next whisky during a WOLS online tasting in early 2021 and loved it. So a few months later I got a bottle at auction for the neat sum of £89,60 including all fees. I think I cracked it open that autumn in Plön, while the Foundation TV series was airing. Already seems long ago.
Whisky Review
Ben Nevis 5yo v. 2015 at 61.3%
by Adelphi (Selection)
Sherry cask • Un-Chillfiltered • Natural Colour
Nose: on first whiff a little boozy with the high ABV, but then the sherry bomb explodes! Toffee, coffee beans, and sherry-steeped strawberry laces. Quite creamy, even buttery. The palate is intense, with a rather chewy and oily texture. There’s salted caramel, fruit leather, and candied oranges. In the development and finish, I get more of the “funky” notes, and a lingering tobacco (cigar) taste. With a bit of water, some mineral and citrusy notes whisper. Overall, a sherry-bomb with a funky side that really makes all the difference here.
Verdict: ❤️ Personal Favourite
Again, I realized I wrote a review last year, which makes for fun comparison:
There’s nothing I now disagree with really in this old review. A dram I really liked, despite some other reviewers complaining about a bad match of the young spirit to a heavy-handed “modern” sherry maturation.
I think I’m getting the hang of the BN character. It’s fruity, minerally, and a little funky (the shellfish, yeast notes above).
That’s it for now. And no more BN in the stash.
Addendum March 8th:
I discovered I do actually have a 3cl BN sample from the whisky calendar, and I brought it along for my business trip to Paris. Makes sense to post the review in this post. The info on the sample bottle does not match any bottle online, so I suppose this cask went entirely for the Christmas calendar from which I got the sample (so 24 more such reviews to come).
Whisky Review
Ben Nevis 9yo v. 2012 at 57.8%
by Elixir Distillers (Single Malts of Scotland)
Single Cask • Maturation not stated, but definitely ex-bourbon cask
First impression is buttery on the nose. Shortbread biscuits, milk chocolate, but also fruity (red apple?). There’s a briney character too. Charred grapefruits and seashells. Not peaty, but slightly smoky and industrial. The latter impressions grow with time and water. To taste: flavourful, until the alcohol singes the palate. Dirty, and a bit ashy and sulfury, but not too much. Reminds me a lot of Croftengea. Quite decent finish, with rubber giving way to dried mulberries. I want to say butter-fried sage too, but I might be overdoing it. Overall, an assertive dram, playing more toward the phenolic than fruity side of BN.
Verdict:⭐ Notable Quality
DuckDrams 
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