Ben Nevis 1996, The Whisky Jury

Nose: buttery almonds with lovely greasy, waxy notes. Light apricots and ripe pineapple, hints of banana too. Leather and walnuts. Hints of metal polish. This one is quite rounded again, with exotic touches and sweet wax, and less of the mineral sharpness. Definitely rocks my boat.

 

Mouth: again rather sweet, with pastry notes, almond cream and then a burst of citrus and exotic fruits. Pineapple, papaya, lime. Then these chalky notes again, with just an edge of leafy / herbal bitterness. Perfect mineral touches. Lovely oily texture and weight.

 

Finish: long, on grapefruit, soft resin, green banana and a bit of warming pepper.

 

Excellent Ben Nevis again, that’s a hat trick. Why would you diversify if you’re starting as an independent bottler, if you have these casks in your portfolio? Great stuff.

The Jury's previously bottled some excellent BN. Colour: white wine. Nose: this sour, lovely feeling of raw apple juice at first, then almonds, then waxes, and only then oils as well as a drop of diesel oil. And after twenty seconds, enter bags of citrus fruits. With water: wool and chalk, some other typical markers. Mouth (neat): terrific, gentler than the 1997 and with many more tropical fruits, somehow ala Bowmore. Passion fruit tarte and wee pink bananas, plus quinces and peaches. You could say a very good Pinot Gris. In the background, naturally, waxes, citrus and minerals. With water: gets a tad grassier, with a little more paraffin and linseed oil. Touches of salt too. Finish: medium, extremely complex, with just everything we've mentioned before. Comments: it's great to compare 1996 with 1997, both from great refill. If you believe in vintages, naturally. Isn't 1996 fruitier and a little softer and gentler, generally speaking?

SGP:552 - 90 points.