46°
Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands
Bourbon and Sherry Casks
Original Bottling
Core Range
Single Malt
Launched in 1996
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured
Almost Unpeated
The 10-year-old Ben Nevis is around since 1996, but I wouldn't bet that the recipe hasn't evolved in 27 years. Each time they launch a new edition of this, it is quickly sold out. The previous one, dating back from 2016, was splendid. I was told that there was another edition in 2019, that quickly disappeared, but it's far from certain. This one seems to last though, it was launched two years ago and you can still find it more or less everywhere. It's got a new label, very minimalist, which allows us not to mistake it with the older ones, how convenient.
Let's Taste It :
The nose has some similarities to that of Coire Leis, but is more focused on dates, exotic fruits and chocolate. Coffee, varnished wood and dried fruits. Beeswax, a hint of smoke, the distillery's distinctive character is there, but in a less prominent way. On the palate, it's honeyed, slightly lemony and sparkling, with lively spices, notes of dried banana and chicory, a bit dry at the end. The finish is long, with notes of heather, chocolate cake, undergrowth, humus and fermented grapes.
In Short,
For me, who loved the 2016 edition, it's a disappointment. It feels younger, more diluted, even though it's not. Moreover, it is less peated. It's Ben Nevis all right, and a good one, but the expression is gradually losing its identity, with the best casks feeding into Japanese blends. It's a real shame. That said, it's still well above most 10-year-olds on the market. The price is outrageously high.
Score : 87
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Stone Temple Pilots - Plush
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