The Taste of Whisky released two new Ben Nevis whiskies not long ago. One of them is a fairly classic 1996, the other a 1997 from a first-fill Pedro Ximénez cask. Both are part of a new series called Future Legends. Perhaps I gave them the idea by calling their previous Ben Nevis 1996 a whisky that comes to mind when I think of future legends?
The third whisky being reviewed today is a middle-aged Linkwood 2010. It seems to be some kind of leftover bottling with only 35 bottles (50 cl) available.
Ben Nevis 28 yo 1996 (49%, The Taste of Whisky ‘Future Legends’ 2025, hogshead #758, 126 btl.)
Nose: initially some vegetal notes, with an emphasis on the chalky and doughy side. Some muddy notes, linseed oil, ale and nice hints of paraffin. Sweet grassy hints and light mint. Then yellow apples and hints of melons, but no indications of a tropical salad so far. Banana skins maybe. Biscuity notes with subtle vanilla too.
Mouth: quite sweet, a bit more in the Irish style now. Some grapefruit and green banana, with hints of waxy apple peelings. However the chalky notes and mineral oils (à la Clynelish) are way bigger. Perhaps a hint of tonic water and some saltiness as well. Then back to roots, hay and herbal notes, bitter oranges and walnuts.
Finish: rather long, still mineral, with more apple, citrus zest and bittersweet herbs.
This reminds me of cask #843 in the sense that it misses the bright tropical fruits of the true legends. That said, a very good example of the mineral and tense style of Ben Nevis, less immediate.
The next one has an interesting interesting story: the whisky was bottled back in 2023. It was intended for the Asian market, but an unfortunate coincidence meant it never left the Scottish warehouse. TTOW had the opportunity to acquire it, and they claim it’s quite similar to the Ben Nevis 1998 they bottled for their 10th anniversary.
Ben Nevis 26 yo 1997 (55,1%, The Taste of Whisky ‘Future Legends’ 2023, first fill PX hogshead #2316302, 138 btl.)
Nose: sherry bomb. Plenty of cherries on syrup, blood oranges, prunes and a lot of polished oak, along with cigar boxes. A nice sweet and sour balance. Then some leafy notes, with drops of eucalyptus oil and hints of leather. Hints of coffee and walnuts as well. Really good.
Mouth: clearly more severe. Think Seville oranges, cold coffee with a pinch of salt. Still a sour berry note, but it is buried under herbal extracts or Fernet-Branca, walnut wine and leather. Drops of soy sauce and a resinous touch. A faint hint of aspirin as well, which is not uncommon in Ben Nevis.
Finish: long and dry, still earthy and slightly bitter. Flashes of cherries, leather and dark chocolate.
This has all the weight of a PX but none of the sweetness. The nose is impressive, but on the palate it becomes an amaro style of whisky, really. Not something I’d drink every day, but one of these heavily sherried 1997 casks that still manage to convince me. Still available from the TTOW shop. Score: 90/100
Linkwood 15 yo 2010 (54,3%, The Taste of Whisky ‘Private Stock Tasting’ 2025, first fill Oloroso hogshead finish, 35 btl.)
Nose: a simpler, rather autumnal style. Hints of nougat, pepper and cinnamon cake, with some gingerbread. Some oaky notes and marmalade on toast, as well as a gentle leafiness and chestnut honey. Some muesli and hints of old coins underneath.
Mouth: there’s a peppery kick up front, even chilli, along with walnuts and mocha. A charred oaky side, accompanied by dark fruits like figs. Some herbal notes as well, but the peppery heat stays strong throughout the palate.
Finish: quite long. Spices and herbacious notes against a backdrop of dried fruit.
This feels a little pressure-cooked, with the peppery notes and herbs taking over eventually. Not a bad drop, but it suffers from the characterful duo that preceded. Score: 85/100