Ben Nevis 1995 (Whisky Agency)

I tried this Ben Nevis 1995 quickly but couldn’t detect anything special. I was in a hurry so I poured it back and tried it again three days later. Sometimes waiting long enough makes all the difference between a regular whisky and a special one.

Ben Nevis 18 yo 1995 (51,8%, The Whisky Agency ‘Old Times Diving’ 2013, refill hogshead, 242 btl.)

Nose: starts surprisingly un-fruity compared to the rest of this series. Sweet cereals, mineral notes and some waxy / fatty notes. Meadow flowers. After some time and hand warmth it becomes warmer and unfolds its fruits: first grapefruit and lemon balm, then more exotic banana, maybe kiwi. Hints of vanilla. Quite a “Littlemillian” evolution in a way.

Mouth: even more similarities to some Littlemill expressions: bright, slightly exotic fruits. Tangerines, lemon sweets, a little passion fruit and pink grapefruit. A good dose of fresh bourbon oak too, as well as a cirtusy zestiness, ginger and grassy notes. The waxy notes are still present.

Finish: medium long, still fruity.

Fresh whisky with a fruitiness that starts shy and hits you on the palate. Typical Ben Nevis minerals as well. A nice surprise. Around € 95, arriving in stores as we speak.

Score: 88/100