Ben Nevis 21 Years (TBWC)

To me Ben Nevis is like an off-roader. A lot of their production is a very bumpy ride, but I absolutely love some of their 1966 casks, the 1975 Prestonfield, and many of the recent affordable offerings are also new classics in my opinion. Undervalued indeed.

Here’s a new Ben Nevis 21 Year Old from That Boutique-y Whisky Company.

Ben Nevis 21 yo (48,9%, That Boutique-y Whisky Co 2018, Batch #8, 931 btl.)

Nose: oh hello there. A great waxy start, lots of precious oak polish with a sweet fruity undertone (apricot, lime). Just a hint of oil paint. Rummy notes and caramel toffee. Herbal balm. Orange peel. Very characterful.

Mouth: darker fruits now (blackberries). Then some tobacco and leather, some leafy notes and Seville oranges. Some round vanilla notes as well as the polished oak from the nose. A quick burst of pink grapefruit, even tangerines and other Redbreast-y notes (!), but these fade. More coastal notes towards the end.

Finish: medium long, still fruity with fresh oak and a hint of chalk.

Like most Boutique-y Whisky bottlings it is a bit overpriced, but in this case the profile is truly wonderful. Another unique Ben Nevis that wins me over entirely. Recommended. Available from Master of Malt.

Score: 90/100