I visited the Whisky Jury movie studios offices the other day (really, check out their Youtube channel) where I was introduced to the latest releases. Rums and armagnacs will get the spotlight later, first we’re focusing on a few single malt whiskies, including two Ben Nevis bottlings and two very old Speysiders.
Tormore 33 yo 1992 (41,8%, The Whisky Jury 2026, refill hogshead #101159, 249 btl.)
Nose: pleasantly old-style, with some fruit that quickly moves to the background. Hints of oxidized apple, dried pears and just a whiff of mitabelles. Almonds and hay. Subtle hints of beeswax, light vanilla and Chamois leather. A bit soft but quite complex.
Mouth: a soft and elegant fruitiness again, but never in-your-face. More dried pears and yellow plums, with a nice waxiness and subtle hints of dusty books. Then roasted cashew, old oak, dried grasses and a pinch of nutmeg. A mild bitter hint as well, think grapefruits and herbal tea.
Finish: fairly long, with more hints of waxes and teas, with citrus peels.
I don’t mind lower ABVs provided they’re cask strength. It offers nice complexity and some old-school notes. Maybe not total fireworks but an excellent meditation whisky nonetheless.
Ben Nevis 29 yo 1996 (44,4%, The Whisky Jury for DeinWhisky.de 2026, refill hogshead #1860, 99 btl.)
Nose: a bit of an Irish profile, with tropical fruits but also a slightly creamy undertone. Pineapple, candied mango, a bit of lime. Bananas and brazil nuts. Nice candle wax and lightly polished oak. Then there’s a darker side of sultanas and drops of herbal honey.
Mouth: lovely creamy fruits. Fatty texture. Papaya, more pineapple, melon and lime, along with honeycomb and a subtle buttery tone. Natural vanilla appears, along with sweet grassy notes, sweet pears and increasing oak spice. Even a slightly boozy edge despite the modest ABV.
Finish: long, clean, with more papaya and a darker hint of cocoa again.
Another really good Ben Nevis from the n°1 specialist. This time a little more on the creamy and dark side, with a little more wood as well, but the same intense layer of tropical fruits. A bit of a no-brainer, but I’m afraid it’s sold out (from DeinWhisky at least). Score: 91/100
Ben Nevis 27 yo 1999 (47,5%, The Whisky Jury 2026, sherry cask #51, 237 btl.)
Nose: funky! This one opens on toasted exotic wood and sultanas, but also browned banana peels and cheese rinds. Also lamp oil and brassware polish. Slightly farmy too, reminding me of some Bruichladdich or even Port Charlotte. Lovage? Then candi sugar and toffee, along with one or two roasted chestnuts.
Mouth: slightly more classical. Some sherry sweetness (figs, raisins) but overall more on the drier side. Tobacco leaves, peppercorns, hints of dried ginger, orange peelings and cinnamon powder. Leather too. Then back to sweet and sour grapes with a slightly oriental type of wood spice.
Finish: long, with citrus sharpness, leafy notes and spice, along with a mineral drying note.
Ah, this is a wicked one. No tropical fruits – instead you get drying sherry and some unique funky notes. Probably not for every occasion but a very entertaining Ben Nevis expression. Score: 89/100
A Single Speyside 33 yo 1992 (47,8%, The Whisky Jury 2026, refill barrel #408880, 236 btl.)
Nose: creamy almonds and a generous dose of vanilla custard. Buttercups. Then melons, stewed apples, dried pear slices and a nice hint of wax and paraffin candles on top. Acacia honey. A subtle pastry note, as well as lightly toasted oak.
Mouth: rather creamy again, albeit with a peppery and mentholy edge. We’re getting pears and ripe gooseberries, but mid-palate a vibrant flash of peach and tangerine comes out. After that a lot of fresh barley with mild leafy notes, along with a slightly greener hint of polished oak.
Finish: medium to long, still quite fruity with soft drying oak and hints of sweet cereals. Hay in the end.
Some of these 1992s have been rumoured to be Glenlivet – not a bad guess for this one. Much fruitier than the Tormore but maybe a tad lower in terms of complexity. Very good whisky, be sure you have the lounger chair warmed up and enough time available to enjoy it. Score: 90/100