Ben Nevis 18 year old 1996 The First Editions

Independently bottled Ben Nevis is much sought after, often talked about in the same circles as Mortlach & Clynelish, especially if it's from a sherry cask.

This one is from Hunter Laing's First Editions line, the label simply mentions refill hogshead but the flavours lead me to believe it might have once contained sherry.

Nose: Light, old newspaper, plasticine, butterscotch. a little quinine bark and lime. The nose is rather tight at first once it opens up it's quite nice. porridge cooked over open fire, a little pineapple and chalk.

Palate: Sharp, coal fire and meat, a little caraway, walnuts and juniper. the texture is so light almost watery. I am reminded of Fino sherry a bit.

Finish: Ointments, wool, old school cologne, dried figs, astringent lemon pith, creamed honey and herbs (a mix of sage and thyme).

Notes: Very light the OB Ben Nevis 10 is so much more explosive than this, very surprising indeed. The age is apparent in the fact that it's not quite so spirit-y as the OB 10, the edginess has been tamed a bit and there's lovely herbal, freshness to it. That said the price these IB's command I am not sure you're immediately rewarded with this one or perhaps that's a reflection of how good the 10 is.

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