Although this is my very first review of a Ben Nevis, I tried quite a few (around a dozen or so) of them this year. But that was always on fairs or in my pub of choice so I wasn’t able to write down notes. And I don’t really know what it is, but this distillery made a lasting impression on me.

It is therefore surprising how little attention Ben Nevis gets among ‘the average’ single malt aficionado. To be fair, Ben Nevis doesn’t release a lot of bottlings and the ones they release (apart from their 10 years old standard expression), are often very price intense. But that has to do with their low production (1.5M liters per year) and the fact that a third of the newmake is sent directly to Japan for the owner’s (Nikka) blends. Which means that there is not much old stock laying around in the warehouse.

Lucky for us that there are quite a few (often very affordable) independent bottlings available.

Facts

Ben Nevis 1991 (Signatory Vintage ‘The Un-Chillfiltered Collection’)

Nose

The sherry oak influence is noticeable right off the bat. Honey pastries with powdered sugar, almonds, hazelnuts – maybe even some nut cake? Dried fruits, but hard to tell which ones. Followed by cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.

Taste

Oily and unexpected strong. Again a lot of sherry, the oak is more pronounced now. Hints of floral honey and salt. Ends with brown sugar.

Finish 

Long and strong with a light fruitiness. Ginger and a bit of oak.

Overall

Robust and complex, even a bit maverick if you will – a text book example of  a great Ben Nevis.

Score: 92 / 100