Ben Nevis 1999 (Valinch & Mallet)

Behold the colour of this Ben Nevis 1999 bottled by Valinch & Mallet, and remember this is a bourbon cask. This could be interesting.

Ben Nevis 19 yo 1999 (51,7%, Valinch & Mallet ‘Hidden Casks’ 2018, bourbon hogshead, 278 btl.)

Nose: lots of woody aromatics, think cinnamon pastry, herbs and mentholated  notes, grated coconut. Piny notes. Whiffs of brass polish. Underneath some sweet candy too: Haribo sweets, oranges, red apples. Some more un-modern notes in the background, like lamp oil, wild flowers and leather. Interesting.

Mouth: a powerful yet rounded mix of orange peels and apple skin, ripe pineapple, subtle vanilla, tobacco, ginger and pepper. Hints of beeswax. Grassy touches. Properly wood-influenced I’d say, even hinting towards some Japanese whiskies, but never too dry.

Finish: long, on citrus, peppery oak, Earl Grey tea and subtle tobacco leaves.

Not a one-trick pony: this one is very entertaining. Active wood, controlled dryness and characterful spirit, maybe not for everyone but I’m a fan. Around € 160, still on its way to stores, I believe.

Score: 88/100