After the inaugural bottlings, here’s a new batch of bottlings from the Taiwanese bottler Scout Drinks already. We’re starting with a Ben Nevis 1996 (always interesting) and continue with a Macduff 2007 and Ardmore 2010. Here in Europe we can get these bottlings from Whiskybase.
Ben Nevis 29 yo 1996 (48,1%, Scout Drinks 2026, hogshead #1558, 164 btl.)
Nose: tropical fruits right away, good. Juicy mango, guava and tangerines, with the expected chalky notes, lemon verbena and engine oil. Then minty notes and drops of camphor, subtle waxes, along with a faint syrupy note and light oak. Whiffs of oil paint as well. Pretty excellent so far.
Mouth: brilliant fruitiness, Bushmills style and very expressive. It’s full of guava, nectarines, tangerines and mango, as well as pineapple cubes and our beloved maracuya sherbet. Complexity rises due to the tighter mineral notes, subtle waxes and oily notes. There’s a salty edge as well, which typically amplifies the bright acidity. Hints of mint cordial and green tea appear while gentle oak sets in.
Finish: quite long, with a little white pepper and minerals, along with a lingering tropical fruit salad.
High class, up there with the best 1996s I’ve had. A big focus on tropical fruits, along with the expected mineral waxiness. Kudos.
Macduff 18 yo 2007 (48,9%, Scout Drinks 2026, hogshead #800220, 210 btl.)
Nose: also quite bright and fruit-forward. A little more on jasmine and orange blossom this time, with citrus fruits and white grapes. Hints of vanilla and mint. Then also a subtle honeyed note and some almond milk. Springtime whisky.
Mouth: the vanilla stands out more, along with fresh oak shavings. This mixes nicely with green fruits (kiwi, crisp apple) and citrus peelings, marmalade and a touch of rhubarb. Then a bit of a fruit eau-de-vie profile, with subtle cake and oak spice. Still a good dose of floral elements as well.
Finish: medium to long, with a bit of spicy warmth, orchard fruit and mint.
I must admit I didn’t expect this to reach such heights. Misleading prejudices, I’m sorry. Macduff seems to be popular for heavy sherry finishes, but it’s really nice in a (refill?) bourbon cask too. Nice find. Score: 88/100
Ardmore 15 yo 2010 (60,3%, Scout Drinks 2026, barrel #804044, 166 btl.)
Nose: quite a spicy and minty style, with iodine, menthol and a bit of cedarwood overtaking the peaty side. Coastal notes aplenty, with seaweed, citrus peels, white pepper, raw dough, even a sharpness of horseradish. Then also a subtle varnished note. Feels youngish still.
Mouth: definitely peatier and smokier now (is this one of the ex-Laphroaig casks again?), accompanied by green apples and lime, herbs, iodine and a nice hint of peaches. Quite peppery and pungent, not only because of the ABV. Hints of eau-de-vie, ginger and walnuts. Also a toasted hint in the background, with mocha.
Finish: long, peaty and peppery. Still a nice heat, smoked grapefruits and menthol.
A clean and punchy Ardmore. Totally faultless, just a tad rough and tight – I would have given this a little more time to settle. Score: 87/100