Ben Nevis is a must-have among independent bottlers these days, and we don’t blame them, on the contrary. Here’s another 1996 from the latest Maltbarn releases.
Ben Nevis 23 yo 1996 (47,4%, Maltbarn 2019, bourbon cask, 150 btl.)
Ben Nevis 23 yo 1996 (47,4%, Maltbarn 2019, bourbon cask, 150 btl.)Nose: plenty of mineral notes (gravel, chalk, linseed oil, putty) with shy fruits like lemons, (cider) applers and melons. Lemon peel as well. Needs time.
Mouth: much better, with a burst of fruits. Peaches, pink grapefruits, hints of pineapple and passion fruits. Bright and slightly acidic, almost Bushmills style. Waxy notes. Some late pepper and ginger as well.
Finish: long, going further on the fruits and waxy notes.
Just when I thought this was not going to be the most convincing version, the tropical fruitiness blew me away. A superb drinkers whisky, really good! Around € 150.
Score: 90/100