Ben Nevis 21 Year Old 1992 The Ultimate

The Ultimate is a series of single casks from the Dutch bottler Van Wees. We try their 21 Year Old Ben Nevis that matured on a sherry cask. Judging by the color, it was a refill cask. It was cut to a drinking strength of 46%.

Hmm, the first impression on the nose is ‘no…’ because it is immediately very sour, almost astringent and reedy. Something of rotting meat… surely that cannot be intended? Underneath I get some honey and pistachio nuts. Pears and mandarins and – do not laugh – curry ketchup. Either my sample is flawed or otherwise this is a very weird Ben Nevis.

It is light bodied and tastes mostly of praline, almonds, gooseberries and mocha. The fruit comes from the citrus family. This is actually quite pleasant (after the disappointing nose). Fairly spicy on cloves, nutmeg and some chili pepper. Turns bitter rapidly, though. Too bitter to my taste.

The finish is fairly long, warm and spicy, but too bittersweet to be truly pleasant. I quickly reach for a glass of water which is never a good sign.

Let-down in my book, especially on the nose.

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