DISTILLERY FOCUS: BEN NEVIS

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the United Kingdom, standing at 1,334 metres, and is another iconic symbol of Scotland apart from whisky. The Ben Nevis Distillery, located in Fort William at the foot of this mountain, was founded in 1825 by John MacDonald, nicknamed Long John. The distillery was once one of the few in Scotland to produce both single malt and grain whisky with the addition of the Coffey distiller. In 1989 the Japanese company Nikka took over Ben Nevis Distillery, which it operates to this day. The distillery uses pure water from Ben Nevis and is renowned for its full-bodied whisky with nutty and chocolate aromas. The following four Ben Nevis whiskies are bottled by independent bottlers to bring you classic flavours.

Bottled by Hidden Spirits and matured in bourbon casks, the 13 Years has sweet smoke, slight peat, hint of cinder, lime and liquorice on the nose. On the palate, creamy, peat, cinder, vanilla and grandma cake. At the finish, long, smoked, cinder and lime.

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The Ben Nevis 16 Years bottled by The Fine Spirits Society for a refreshing fruity flavour of peach, apricot, mandarin, mango, honey, and oakiness.

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Bottled by Blackadder, the 20 Years has notes of banana cream pudding, apple sauce, ethanol and swimming pool chlorine. On the palate, spearmint, pistachio, baked beans, red vines, forest leaves and vanilla. At the finish, long, cloves and honey.

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The Ben Nevis 23 Years from Elixir the Whisky Trail Bird Series was matured in a single hogshead. On the nose, heavy wax, camphor and liquorice at first, followed by a layer of sumptuous fruit dusted with icing sugar: orange, grapefruit, pineapple and ripe guava. On the palate, austere notes of polished oak, walnut, hazelnut and Armagnac, slowly developing into burnt caramel cookies, olive oil and a little salt. Plenty of citrus fruits left, garnished with ginger and nutmeg. At the finish, grapefruit peel lingers, complemented by rye grains, pine needles, leather and a cup of herbal mint tea.

Shop Now: The Whisky Trail Bird Series Ben Nevis 23 Years