1998 Berry Bros. & Rudd Ben Nevis, Cask Ref. 1377, Highland, Single Malt Scotch Whisky (51.3%)

Ben Nevis Distillery is one of a handful situated on the west coast of the Scottish mainland. The distillery, near Fort William, lies in the shadow of Britain's highest mountain, from which it takes its name.

Complexity is the order of the day here; the nose is at once malty with austere fruit, whilst a little time in the glass brings out green wine gums, dried pineapple and a very slight wood smoke note. Citrus bursts onto the palate with more tropical fruit, beeswax, cedar and mashed banana; as often with Ben Nevis, the back palate sings with vibrant grapefruit and pineapple fruitiness. There's a touch of spice on the finish along with slight malty smoky note. Late 90s Ben Nevis is increasingly becoming a fan favourite and this hogshead shows why: as these casks reach peak maturity, they show a complexity and beauty rarely rivalled in the world of malt whisky. 

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Tasting note

The 1998 Ben Nevis is deliciously rustic. It gives me late-’90s vibes of liquorice and pastille fruits. This is very much a whisky where the juice does all the talking; the oak is merely a vehicle, with the malt and smoky edge shining through. This is exactly my type of whisky, and it won me over at the very first dram. 

Markus Ljunghammar, Account Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd