Ben Nevis 16 Year Old 1998 Old Particular

Deep in the Highlands at the foot of Britain’s highest mountain, close to Fort William, you will find this Japanese-owned distillery: Ben Nevis. Today I will try a single cask, cut to 48,8% ABV, from the stables of Douglas Laing. The spirit was distilled in May 1998 and bottled in November 2014.

The nose is very sweet. Toffee, caramel and butterscotch, sprinkled with brown sugar. This is like liquid Werther’s Originals with alcohol. Some gooseberries in the background. Maybe a hint of coconut, but definitely beeswax, which makes it very creamy and a bit old fashioned. Nice, sweet nose.

The body is a bit light, losing some of the creaminess, but quite tasty. Mostly sweet, again, with the emphasis on toffee and coconut. Some pepper and even some camphor and caramelized ginger. Green banana suddenly props up before green tea gives it a lightly bitter touch.

The finish is fairly short and remains sweet until some walnuts appear at the death.

Nice, bittersweet Ben Nevis. Probably a good match for pastry.

Find where to buy Ben Nevis whisky