This 16 years old Ben Nevis is the third release in the Rare Casks series from Abbey Whisky.
Ben Nevis 16yo 1997
(55%, Abbey Whisky ‘The Rare Casks’ 2013, sherry hogshead, 96 btl.)
Nose: deep, fruity sherry. Recurrant, blackberry jam, plum compote. Rum & raisins. Some oak varnish and leather. Chocolate chips. Nutmeg and cinnamon. After a while also a faint hint of matchsticks.
Mouth: intense sherry again, with an oaky blast, dark fruit tea and liquorice. Balsamic syrup. Chocolate. Brighter notes of oranges and cinnamon buns as well. Enough jammy fruits to balance the darker, bitter side.
Finish: long, bittersweet with spicy notes and forest fruits.
This is a true sherry bomb, a Karuizawa version of Ben Nevis. Quite massive. It could have been from a dozen other distilleries, but it’s a big dram nonetheless. Around € 80.
Score: 86/100