Today’s Ben Nevis 1996 was bottled by Maltbarn a while ago, in their ‘The 26’ series. We’ll also include a few bottlings that are newer. The last two are from the records series that we already examined before the summer.
Ben Nevis 28 yo 1996 (48,6%, Maltbarn ‘The 26’ 2024, bourbon cask, 38 btl.)
Nose: a very waxy version, already an asset. Paraffin and beeswax, along with pears and meadow flowers. Quite an elegant one, with subtle oily notes and a little wet wool after a while. Then a little green tea and bergamot. Chalk too, of course.
Mouth: more fruits than the nose suggested (pear, grapefruit, pineapple) but they’re quickly overtaken by this lovely oily and waxy profile. Candles and these trendy beeswax wraps to store your food in. Then back to mango, but also chalky notes and a very mild herbal bitterness.
Finish: long, still chalky, with green fruits and more paraffin.
I love the waxiness of this cask, making this a blend of Clynelish and Irish whiskey, so to speak. The overall elegance is another plus.
Strathmill 32 yo 1992 (48,8%, Maltbarn ‘The 26’ 2024, sherry cask, 41 btl.)
Nose: quite neutral, that is to say without any noticeable sherry influence. Plenty of apple juice and gooseberries, with undertones of polished metal and drops of green tea. A little kiwi. A solid layer of barley as well. Then a certain chalky sourness and whiffs of dried flowers.
Mouth: still bright and distillate-driven, with an old-school charm. Apples and pears, a few drops of Calvados perhaps. Then generous hints of light ale and white bread, along with mild touches of varnish and mint. Still a faint metallic note and some herbal tea.
Finish: not extremely long, all on barley notes, beers and a bit more grassiness.
Quite a nuanced whisky, rather neutral. It doesn’t rely on any of the modern tricks to keep the drinker interested, and that’s exactly why I find it interesting. That said, perhaps a little intellectual. Score: 88/100
Islay Malt 24yo 2000 (51,8%, Maltbarn 2025, sherry cask, 175 btl.)
Nose: a rather sooty profile with plenty of moist forest leaves, as well as some spent matchsticks. Hints of dried fruits in the background, like dates and riasins. Then also walnut cake, bandages and antiseptics. Mild carbolic notes and a touch of mustardy sharpness too.
Mouth: very warming, with plenty of barbecue ashes and sooty smoke, along with the expected medicinal hints. Dark liquorice, walnuts, a bit of menthol and dried seaweed. Faint rubbery notes as well. It moves towards firm briney notes and spiced dark chocolate towards the end.
Finish: long, with drying leafy notes, some earthy Pu Erh and a little pepper(mint).
Given the image of the label, this is probably Laphroaig. The cask left a big footprint and a slightly dirty edge. All good but a little on the rough side. Score: 87/100
Port Charlotte 22 yo 2002 (55,2%, Maltbarn 2025, bourbon cask, 186 btl.)
Nose: ah yes, that quirky farminess that brings Port Charlotte close to Brora in my opinion. Goat stable and a whiff of greasy engines. Hints of bacon and a full ashtray, smoked fish and some burnt herbs. Then a little paraffin and Lapsang Souchong, as well as some tiny medicinal drops.
Mouth: less farmy now, but still showing a deeply sooty side. Also hints of petrol, sardines in olive oil and a brighter hint of smoked lemon. Gentian too, along with hay, brine and kippers. Some aniseed, smoked cereals and drier leathery notes. A faint bitter edge as well.
Finish: long and drying, with plenty of salt, ashes, black pepper and a good deal of roots.
This one is cheaper than the Laphroaig and also my favourite. These farmy notes always captivate me and I can’t think of another distillery that offers the same profile. Solid choice from Maltbarn. Score: 90/100