Two of my favourite distilleries: Ben Nevis and Clynelish. They come in the series called Time’s Telling, made by Lucky Choice and Oxhead Whisky. The labels feature interpretations of historical arts and crafts from around the world. They try to offer them at accesible prices.
Ben Nevis 26 yo 1999 (46%, Lucky Choice & Oxhead Whisky ‘Time’s Telling’ 2025, hogshead #324, 120 btl.)
Nose: a nice peach / pineapple / banana mix up front, aong with the usual waxiness. A tiny hint of vanilla, honey and pollen. It becomes rather tropical, even adding a hint of coconut cream. Then a little sunflower oil and wildflowers, as well as some chalkiness.
Mouth: still a bit rounder, with peach yoghurt and pineapple. This turns towards grapefruit and bergamot, subtle mustard and herbs, as well as a hint of white pepper. Green bell pepper and a hint of liquorice. A drop of saltwater too. A tad more austere than the nose, but still a nice juiciness.
Finish: medium length, with hints of IPA, citrusy notes, limestone and a greenish tea note.
One of the rounder noses of Ben Nevis, but a lot of pure DNA nonetheless. Lovely selection work, and worth tracking down if you’re in Australasia.
Clynelish 12 yo 2013 (52,4%, Lucky Choice & Oxhead Whisky ‘Time’s Telling’ 2026, hogshead #334328, 160 btl.)
Nose: more bulky than the Ben Nevis, with hints of salted butter. Some varnished notes on top of the usual round beeswax. Then a little metal polish and walnuts, some paraffin and a few cider apples. Honey and sweet lemons too.
Mouth: just a little sharper, more on lemon juice and lemon peels, as well as more tangy herbal notes. Perfectly pure, with this grassy and slightly bitter note that works very well. Some unripe mango in the distance perhaps, as well as salty notes that increase over time.
Finish: quite long, on white pepper, citrus zest and beeswax.
Both spirits appear to have similar ancestors, so to speak. If you like one then you’ll probably love the other as well. The guys know their whisky. Score: 89/100