Most bottlers have pushed a last batch of releases before the summer break. The Whisky Jury had a number of whiskies, rums (stay tuned) and their first Calvados (later). We start with two highlights among the whiskies: Ben Nevis 1998 and Kildalton 2003. The latter is technically a blended malt, but of course the name refers to a single distillery in particular.
You could check their retailers list, but a lot of the releases are gone before you know it.
Ben Nevis 26 yo 1998 (48,3%, The Whisky Jury for Belgium 2025, refill hogshead#1562, 92 btl.)
Nose: very attractive, with a hint of marshmallow and marzipan, along with peach, tangerine skin and mild vanilla. Ripe mango as well. Then hints of paraffin and beeswax, as well as a light minty note and some brass polish. Whiffs of gorse, hay and honey as well.
Mouth: still rather superb. Sweet and slightly tropical fruits, like tangerine, apricot and guava, as well as oranges and gooseberries. Still a hint of marzipan. Then it becomes rather more mundane, with plain barley and some beer-like notes, some dried grass and a subtle hint of salted butter. Boiled sweets, ginger and more maltiness.
Finish: reasonably long, on citrus and pear, yeasty notes and mild oaky notes.
I know the 1996 vintage is usually seen as the pinnacle of recent Ben Nevis, but this 1998 is very, very fine as well. A slightly different and sweeter fruitiness, but really great. It will be hard to get, even if you live in the right country, but quite a must for your Nevis collection!
Kildalton 21 yo 2003 – Blended Malt (51,3%, The Whisky Jury 2025, second fill bourbon cask #11124, 276 btl.)
Nose: very coastal, with lots of elegant peat and graphite. Smouldering leaves and coal smoke, hints of menthol and mild antiseptics, as well as some beach pebbles. Such a great sooty style! Also crushed chalk and smoke lemon juice. Underneath there’s a sweeter vanilla layer and something of stewed kiwi. Excellent.
Mouth: big, brave and oily, with more of this gloriously maritime profile. Crushed sea shells, hints of smoked fish, fisherman’s ropes and a good dose of freshly laid tarmac. Some TCP. Then subtle hints of sweetened lemon juice, with greener peppery notes and honey glazed meat.
Finish: long and warming, with more tarry notes, seaweed and deep smoke, along with a hint of sea salt and tobacco.
If you were only thinking of buying the Ben Nevis, think twice. This is a really excellent ‘Beg with a gutsy profile: the tarry smoke is matched to just enough sweetness. Love this. Score: 91/100