We’re looking at some of the latest bottlings from Royal Mile Whiskies. One of them is actually a Decadent Drinks release exclusive to RWM (undisclosed HP).
As promised, we’re also including at least one Ben Nevis in every session this week. Today’s 1996 comes from the same series of casks that gave us the great Acla Selection bottling, and it’s not far from the TWJ bottling for Asia.
Ben Nevis 29 yo 1996 (48,9%, Royal Mile Whiskies 2025, hogshead #408, 227 btl.)
Nose: starts with a Riesling or Albariño type of fruitiness. It’s full of pineapple, fresh lime, passion fruits and tangerines. So bright and totally juicy, whereas some other tend to become green and zesty. Hints of honeysuckle and beeswax. Then some minty notes and a light metallic edge. A bit less of that typical funk, although it does show more candle wax and more mineral notes over time. Pretty excellent.
Mouth: now a bit greener and tighter, though still offering a fairly oily texture. Limes, unripe bananas, pink grapefruit. Fruity but less than the nose suggested. Then more funky notes too: mildly bitter herbs, green leafy notes and plain chalk and gravel, perhaps a little horseradish even.
Finish: medium to long, still quite mineral, with green pepper, citrus zest. Still slightly saline.
In terms of fruitiness, the nose started really well. On the palate it becomes slightly more austere and mineral, going from purity to funky notes. One of the more direct casks, with moderate tropical notes. Still available from Royal Mile Whiskies.
Blair Athol 15 yo 2009 (46%, Royal Mile Whiskies 2025, hogshead #304776 + 304820, 633 btl.)
Nose: quite oily and wood-driven, with a nice whiff of solventy furniture polish or oil paint. Hints of maple syrup and cherry liqueur, along with red berries and cassis. Then figs, toasted wood (bourbon style) and cinnamon, as well as hints of cedar wood and caffè latte.
Mouth: more of this toasted wood, with sweet and sour elements and plenty of spice. Nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. Figs and caramelized nuts. Flashes of oranges and cherries again. Bready notes and coffee beans too.
Finish: not too long. There’s more toast, a hint of caramel and dark wood spice.
This profile makes me think of some recharred casks. Heavily toasted (European?) wood in any case. Not exactly subtle, but this modern wood wizardry works pretty well. Still in stock at Royal Mile Whiskies. Score: 86/100
Old Orkney for Auld Reekie 15 yo 2002 (48,5%, Decadent Drinks for Royal Mile Whiskies 2025, sherry seasoned cask, 396 btl.)
Nose: quite a lot of gunpowder and used matches. Burnt herbs, some heather honey, plain wood smoke, always with a sulphury undertone. Damp newspaper. Then some chalky ginger and mild lemony notes as well.
Mouth: still this meaty and rather sulphuric style, with matchsticks, salted treacle and roasted chestnut. Then salty chocolate, hints of old walnuts and some vegetal oil. Black pepper and herbal drops as well.
Finish: quite long, on chocolate, baking spice and late hints of fireplace ashes.
Full of character, sure, but not exactly a gentleman – the sulphuric side makes it a little hard to embrace for me. Now don’t let this hold you back if you like your whisky a litte dirty. It’s almost wintertime as well. Affordable, check Royal Mile Whiskies. Score: 85/100