This young Ben Nevis 2015 should be slightly different from what we’re used to. First of all it is heavily peated, instead of the subtle whiff of peat that is (sometimes) noticeable in this distillery. Secondly it was matured in a fairly active, fresh sherry cask.
It is the second bottling from Roger’s Whisky Company, after the Caol Ila bottling.
Ben Nevis 6 yo 2015 (58,4%, Roger’s Whisky Company 2021, first-fill sherry cask #34, 329 btl.)
Nose: warm, rich and considerably medicinal peat. Plenty of tobacco leaves, hints of gherkins and brass polish, as well as whiffs of shoe polish and black olives. Leather. Cinnamon, blackberry sweetness and toffee in the background. Deep sooty notes. A rubbery touch as well.
Mouth: powerful, on mentholated notes, dark chocolate, a hint of lemon and more coals and sooty smoke than allowed by European laws these days. Cocoa coated raisins. Liquorice roots. Some crushed black peppercorns.
Finish: long, really sooty, with more chocolate, pepper and peat smoke.
The heavy, dirty style of Ben Nevis works wonders with heavy peat and a good dose of sherry, bringing us close to Port Charlotte in a way. Powerful, but already nicely integrated, without sharp corners. Impressive for the age – a good release.