Ben Nevis 26 Year Old

The legendary ‘Long John Macdonald', all six foot four of him, a descendant of a ruler of the ancient kingdom of Argyll, and after whom the very popular blend was named, founded the Ben Nevis distillery in 1825. It was one of the first ‘legal’ distilleries in the Highlands. The distillery stayed in family hands until 1941 when it was purchased by an eccentric Canadian, Joseph Hobbs, who at one time also owned Bruichladdich.

Hobbs introduced Coffey stills to the Ben Nevis distillery in order that he could keep up with his blending activities, thereby making Ben Nevis one of the first to produce malt and grain whiskies simultaneously.

With the great slump in demand for whisky in the 1970s. Ben Nevis was mothballed, opening briefly under the ownership of brewers Whitbread, but it is only under the stewardship of Japanese whisky company, Nikka, that the brand has been in continuous production since 1990 and flourished ever since.

Here at Vintage Bottlers, we are delighted to be making available a 26-year-old rendition from these early years of the Ben Nevis renaissance. Bottled at 47.1 ABV (Cask Strength), our offering is a lively, fruity malt, with gentle spices and generous chocolate notes. Dare we say the 26-year-old Ben Nevis is a dram for the devotee, and for the ingenue. For the young, and for the young at heart.

Towering above the distillery is of course Britain’s highest mountain. Ben Nevis not only provides a dramatic backdrop to the picturesque distillery nestling in its shadow, but also the cool waters of two springs which flow into Allt a Mhulinn and thence into the distillery.

We are confident you will enjoy this highly approachable and flavoursome whisky.

RENAISSANCE

Cask Strength

Here at Vintage Bottlers, we are delighted to be making available a 26-year-old rendition from these early years of the Ben Nevis renaissance. Bottled at 47.1 ABV (Cask Strength), our offering is a lively, fruity malt, with gentle spices and generous chocolate notes. Dare we say the 26-year-old Ben Nevis is a dram for the devotee, and for the ingenue. For the young, and for the young at heart.

RENAISSANCE

Cask Strength

Here at Vintage Bottlers, we are delighted to be making available a 26-year-old rendition from these early years of the Ben Nevis renaissance. Bottled at 47.1 ABV (Cask Strength), our offering is a lively, fruity malt, with gentle spices and generous chocolate notes. Dare we say the 26-year-old Ben Nevis is a dram for the devotee, and for the ingenue. For the young, and for the young at heart.

Colour: Light straw/gold

Nose: Creamy, with homemade vanilla fudge, peanut brittle and a lovely soft milk chocolate note. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find some fresh plums, dried apricots and freshly-baked Portuguese custard tarts.

Palate: Delicate and slightly perfumed at first, then comes a swathe of fresh creamy custard, a touch of menthol, some well seasoned vanilla-steeped oakiness and a touch of pipe tobacco. A little water brings more fresh fruitiness, with ripe pear and summer pudding.

Finish: Lingering notes of creamy custard and a slightly tropical note of kiwi fruit, balanced nicely with a light incense and a touch of parma violet.

Overall comment: A dream come true for dessert connoisseurs. This is creamy, unctuous and beautifully balanced.

By Neil Ridley, Drinks Writer and Presenter on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch

Colour: Pale lemon.

Nose: Enticing plump berry sweetness coupled with mild spice and a background note of milky coffee.

Palate: Very clean, crisp flavours on the palate: ‘Old Jamaica’ chocolate with rum and raisin, and a minor note of brand-new leather.

Finish: A long, smooth finish of burnt toffee and fat, toasted grain, with just a hint of citrus zest.

Overall comment: This is a hugely enjoyable whisky – busy with fast-moving sensations on the taste buds. It is medium-bodied, packed with flavour, and benefits from the addition of only a few drops of water. The Ben Nevis is a delight to discover.

By Gordon Coxhill, Whisky Enthusiast & Journalist

Ben Nevis Distillery,

Lochy Bridge, Fort William

PH33 6TJ

Single Hogshead Cask