Ben Nevis 1998
Cask: #1379
Cask Type: Hogstead
Bottled: 2022
Age: 24
Region: Highland
No. of bottles: 260
ABV: 52.6%
Release: Autumn 2022
Doug McIvor
“Ben Nevis is one of the rare breed mainland west coast distilleries and one that hid its light under a bushel for many years being better known for contributing to blends. It is a very fine malt with a generous heart and often surprisingly complex. This expression highlights the robust yet nuanced character beautifully. The nose gives deep ripe banana with sprinkles of sugar and some bruised apple adding a little freshness and acidity. The expansive palate swells to give a lovely fruit salad mix with touches of spice and judicious oak. Wonderfully balanced and long lingering.”
Tasting Notes
Complexity is the order of the day here. The nose is at once malty with austere fruit, while a little time in the glass brings out green wine gums, dried pineapple and a very slight wood-smoke note. Citrus bursts onto the palate with more tropical fruit, beeswax, cedar and mashed banana. As often with Ben Nevis, the back palate sings with vibrant grapefruit and pineapple fruitiness. There’s a touch of spice on the finish along with a slight malty smoky note
Distillery
Ben Nevis Distillery is one of a handful situated on the west coast of the Scottish mainland. The distillery, near Fort William, lies in the shadow of Britain’s highest mountain, from which it takes its name.
Jonny says: “It’s easy to see why Ben Nevis has becoming the darling of the nerdsphere over the last few years; it’s such an wonderfully esoteric, old style distillate; entirely substance over style.