Ben Nevis 2012 The Single Malts of Scotland Reserve Casks 10 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

5 Oloroso Sherry Hogsheads 

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Heavily Peated

 

 

 

I still have quite a few bottles from Elixir Distillers’ now-defunct Reserve Casks range, including some Ben Nevis whiskies. This one is 10 years old, it’s a blend of five Oloroso sherry hogsheads, and the distillate is peated. I’ve labelled it ‘Heavily Peated’, as that’s the traditional description for Ben Nevis, but the peat level doesn’t exceed 30 ppm. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Slightly woody smoke, ground nutmeg, dark chocolate, flambéed caramel, cooked mushrooms and chestnuts, moss and lichen, fig jam. Lovely creaminess of prunes, dried bananas, and a dash of vanilla. Freshly ploughed earth, petrichor. Fir honey. Hints of minerality. Velvety on the palate, dates, raisins, smoky bark, black tea, fresh apples, very subtle spices, candied lemon. A somewhat harsh but long finish, dark tobacco, pralines, barely bitter wood, dried herbs, cola nuts, coffee grounds. 

 

In Short, 

This is the classic profile of sherry-matured Ben Nevis whiskies, forestry, earthy, yet with a variety of fruit notes. However, in this case, I found a few minor flaws, the wood is a little too prominent, particularly on the finish, and it feels a bit light on the palate. It’s still a good whisky, the nose is complex, and the rest is pleasant. It has personality and character, and the price is reasonable. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

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