Ben Nevis

the-ben-nevis-distillery

ben-nevis-10-year-old-whisky

History The distillery was founded in 1825 by ‘Long John’ McDonald, a 6 ft 4in descendant of a ruler of the western Scottish kingdom of Argyll (after whom the renowned blended Scotch, Long John, was named). After Long John’s death in 1856, ownership was passed down to Donald McDonald, his son. A second distillery was sited nearby in 1878 and named Nevis Distillery. In a bid to keep up with growing demand, the two distilleries eventually became one in the early twentieth century. In 1955 the distillery was taken over by new proprietors led by Joseph Hobbs. Under Hobbs, the distillery began using continuous distillation, installing a Coffey Still which remained on the site for 26 years and made the distillery one of the first to produce both malt and grain whisky simultaneously. The Japanese company Nikka (Japan) acquired the distillery in 1989. The heart of the range has been for some time the 10 years old. There have also been a few cask-finishes, limited editions and independent bottlings, notably from Blackadder and Douglas Laing. In 1991, a visitor centre and cafe was opened for the public.

The Whiskyphiles tasting notes

Official Bottling
  • ben-nevis-10-years-old Ben Nevis 10 Years Old (2015) - Ben Nevis 10 Years Old (46%, OB, 2015) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Ben Nevis Distillery Bottling: Nikka ABV: 46% Cost: £36.95 What they say: Our single malt was introduced […]
  • ben-nevis-1990-21-year-old-ruby-port-finish Ben Nevis 21 Years Old 1990 Single Cask (2020) - Ben Nevis 21 Years Old 1990 Ruby Port Cask Finish Whisky Review: An impressive colour and palate to match. Quite woody and challenging initially, needs to breathe or a drop of water to relax it a little. An unforgettable single cask expression from Ben Nevis. 85/100
Independent Bottling
Abbey Whisky
Cadenhead
  • Ben Nevis 22 Years Old 1992 Small Batch (2015) - Ben Nevis 22 Years Old 1992 Small Batch (53.5%, Cadenheads, Bourbon HHs, 444 Bottles, 2014) Single malt scotch whisky 53.5% ABV, £77.60 for 70cl Score: 86/100 What they say: This is a […]
Carn Mor
  • ben-nevis-16-year-old-1998-strictly-limited Ben Nevis 16 Year Old 1998 Strictly Limited (2016) - Ben Nevis 16 Year Old 1998 Strictly Limited (46%, Càrn Mòr, Fino Sherry Butt, 733 Bottles, 2015) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Ben Nevis Distillery Bottling: Morrison & Mackay; Càrn […]
Claxton’s
  • ben-nevis-17-year-old-1998-claxtons Ben Nevis 17 Year Old 1998 The Single Cask (2017) - Ben Nevis 17 Year Old 1998 The Single Cask (54%, Claxton’s, HH 1608-1552, 234 Bottles, 2016) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Ben Nevis Distillery Bottling: Claxton’s ABV: 54% Cost: £89.95 What […]
Hunter Laing
  • ben-nevis-19-year-old-1996-cask-12148-old-malt-cask Ben Nevis 19 Year Old 1996 Old Malt Cask (2017) - Ben Nevis 19 Year Old 1996 Old Malt Cask (50%, Hunter Laing, Sherry Butt #12148, 572 Bottles, 2015) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Ben Nevis Distillery Bottling: Hunter Laing; Old […]
Lockett Bros
  • ben-nevis-17-years-old-fidra-lockett-bros Ben Nevis 17 Years Old 1996 Fidra (2017) - Ben Nevis 17 Years Old 1996 Fidra (55.5%, Lockett Bros, Oloroso Butt & PX Cask Finish, 120 Bottles, 2014) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Ben Nevis Distillery Bottling: Morrison & Mackay for […]
pearls of Scotland
  • ben-nevis-15-year-old-1997-cask-45-pearls-of-scotland-gordon-and-company-whisky Ben Nevis 15 Years Old 1997 (Pearls Of Scotland) (2021) - Very sherried, I suspect a 1st fill perhaps? This one is actually a little too intense at cask strength but with water this releases a lot of dark fruits and relaxes the tannins on the palate. 85/100
That Boutique-Y Whisky Company
  • ben-nevis-that-boutiquey-whisky-company-whisky Ben Nevis 21 Years Old Batch 8 (2020) - Ben Nevis 21 Years Old Batch 8 Whisky Review: Odd, fruity and metallic, earthy, nothing in any one direction but clearly unbalanced, but I still quite like it. 85/100
  • Ben Nevis 22 Years Old Batch 7 (2021) - Another super Ben Nevis bottling by Boutique-Y, not too much Nevis Funk in here but just enough to confirm its origin. Plenty of refill ex-bourbon notes though and generous fruits too. 87/100
  • ben-nevis-23-year-old-that-boutiquey-whisky-company-whisky Ben Nevis 23 Years Old Batch 10 (2019) - Ben Nevis 23 Years Old Batch 10 Whisky Review: A simply wonderful Ben Nevis expression! I found this one much grubbier and sweaty and full of Ben Nevis's industrial funk than the Amber Light bottling. 89/100
Whiskybase
  • Ben Nevis 18 Years Old 1996 Single Cask (2015) - Ben Nevis 18 Years Old 1996 (50.6%, Whiskybase, Sherry Butt #2121, 606 Bottles, 2015) Highland single malt scotch whisky 50.6% ABV, £62.15 Score: 90/100 What they say: Bottled in celebration of 60,000 […]