After the summer holiday, pretty much all of the bottlers that typically send us samples have a package waiting on my desk. I’m trying to run a little sprint so we can clear the backlog in the next couple of weeks.
Moreover, each session will include well-aged Ben Nevis this week, mostly from the legendary 1996 vintage!
Time for Liquid Treasures. They have a new series called Love & Peace, rather appropriate in today’s world climate. The first bottle is a bit of an outlyer though, it is exclusively bottled for their partner The Antelope in Macau.
Ben Nevis 25 yo 1999 (51,2%, Liquid Treasures for The Antelope Macau 2024, refill bourbon hogshead #14, 232 btl.)
Nose: quite oily and slightly thicker and sweeter than expected. Sunflower oils, hints of nougat and walnuts. Old metal polish in the background. After a while it becomes rounder and fruitier, on apricot and oranges, maybe plums. Then also vegetal notes and garden supply shops (a mix of seeds, tools, plants, if you know what I mean).
Mouth: very oily again, still on sweetish banana notes, maple syrup and stewed peaches. Oak spice takes over – pepper and cinnamon mainly. Hints of citrus bitters, walnuts, a little waxed paper and later also the typical lemon / chalk combo.
Finish: rather long, on mineral notes, cinnamon, walnuts and a mild hint of apple peelings.
Not on the same level as 1996 or 1997, the 1999 vintage is a little less unique, in my opinion. Perhaps a tad more wood-driven than the refill suggested. Still a very entertaining whisky though, with a lot of character. A nice variation.
Caol Ila 16 yo 2008 (54,8%, Liquid Treasures ‘Love & Peace’ + The Whisky Fair 2025, Foursquare rum barrique finish, 274 btl.)
Nose: nice hints of wet earth, fresh plaster and seashells. Some ink and ashes, subtle smoked fish. Then bandages and raw wool, along with dried herbs. Pretty classic so far, it seems the rum was more or less in the same ballpark as the original spirit. Perhaps some added hints of diesel oil, as well as a subtle rubbery hint. No major rum sweetness, in any case.
Mouth: same feeling of coherence, simply great. Rather dry, salty, with plenty of ashes. Increasing hints of lemons. Then also capers and wool. The coastal notes seem to be a little less prominent now – instead there are sweet herbs and a slightly greasy peaty note. Also a wee hint of coffee beans towards the end, nice.
Finish: quite long, nicely warming, with hints of oak char, brine and this subtle coffee / chocolate edge.
Not all rum finishes are good, let alone those that use more austere types of rum. Here it simply works really well. This was a joint bottling with The Whisky Fair, so two versions exist with a different label. Avaialble from eSpirits. Score: 90/100
Loch Lomond / Inchfad 20 yo 2005 (54,2%, Liquid Treasures ‘Love & Peace’ 2025, hogshead, 257 btl.)
Nose: typical rubbery smoke. New wellies, exhaust smoke, hints of autumn forest. Underneath there’s a citrusy layer along with some tart apple. A bit of pumpernickel. Not very complex, and the dirty edge is a burden for me.
Mouth: same fusion of citrus and dry, rubbery and sooty smoke. Burnt herbs, lots of vegetal notes and a touch of salinity. Curry spice, black pepper and tarry notes. Then a funky combination of M&M’s and herbs.
Finish: quite long, on smoke porridge, lemon and rubbery smoke.
With relatively low complexity and an unapologetic dirty character, this one isn’t a highlight for me. I’m sure peatheads will disagree. Available from eSpirits. Score: 83/100