We’re celebrating the 6th anniversary of The Whisky Jury. Time flies! There’s one certainty for those kinds of occasions: there will be Ben Nevis 1996 (while supplies last). The other malt in the latest batch is Ledaig.
Ben Nevis 28 yo 1996 (48,2%, The Whisky Jury ‘6th Anniversary’ 2025, refill hogshead #348649, 270 btl.)
Nose: what to say? There are beautiful white nectarines and peaches, lemon juice and light pineapple, along with chalky touches and a little peanut oil. This one seems to have a wee vegetal side, maybe tomato stems, as well as a slightly acetic / zesty sharpness to it. Then a wee hint of vanilla, along with some brioche dough and a waxy touch.
Mouth: at the start it still feels a little greener / vegetal than some others. Mid-palate the generous fruits appear: peach, dried mango, tangerine, pink grapefruit and maracuya. Later also almonds, green tea and bright citrus. A little paraffin and chalk in the end, along with light floral elements and some mineral austerity.
Finish: medium length but nicely waxy, with hints of candied sugar, peppermint and grapefruit.
A slightly less exuberant cask this time, a little more towards the austere side of Ben Nevis. Nonetheless perfectly clean and fruity. Now who invented this cask number?
Ledaig 13 yo 2011 (56%, The Whisky Jury 2025, refill hogshead #6987, 317 btl.)
Nose: a nice mix of tarry boat ropes, dried seaweed, campfire and cigarette ashes. Hints of seawater and wet sheep. Salty Dutch liquorice. Then some bandages and green olives, while there is also a mildening hint of green banana, chiffon leather and vanilla.
Mouth: a lovely ruggedness of warming peat smoke, camphor, gherkins and mashed anchovies, with rounder notes of salted caramel. Crushed peppercorns, a little mint and a good dose of seaweed and slightly dirty vegetal hints. Increasing hints of rosemary and medicinal oil in the end.
Finish: long and smoky, with cold ashes, salted lemon and a hint of honey sweetness.
Good complexity and refinement, without diluting the natural rugged character of this distillate. A perfect dram for the coming winter. As always, retailers are mentioned on the TWJ website. Score: 89/100