Ben Nevis, a short catch-up session with a wee trio


February 20, 2026

Ben Nevis, a short catch-up session
with a wee trio

Ben Nevis

(Ben Nevis)

…even though we’ve already sampled thirty-four Ben Nevis whiskies this month. That’s just how we are, we love Ben Nevis…

Ben Nevis 6 yo 2018/2025 (50%, Spirits Beast, ex-peated refill sherry, cask #149, 360 bottles)

Here we are in Italy, always a pleasure. Colour: full gold. Nose: the DNA of BN is entirely present, with that wild edge, ham with mustard, black earth, old walnuts, a touch of ginger, leather and tobacco, and a peatiness that is ultimately quite present yet rather discreet alongside this powerful, oily BN. With water: fresh putty and a brand-new pair of Nike trainers emerge. Mouth (neat): the peat makes itself felt much more on the palate, yet as the two aromatic territories are closely related, there is zero dissonance or contradiction. A very fine lemony and maritime sharpness. With water: excellent, even peatier and more thoroughbred, remaining pure Ben Nevis indeed. Finish: long, with the very fine customary bitters. Comments: it comes out punching for a six-year-old, yet it feels like twelve. The peat works like caviar on smoked salmon (what?) A slight Ledaig side.
SGP:464 - 88 points.

Ben Nevis 2013/2024 (53.1%, The Maltman, refill sherry butt, cask #3344, 407 bottles)

Here we are in Taiwan. Colour: pale gold. Nose: much softer, much more on beeswax and lanolin, but also brake pad and paraffin. It evolves very quickly in your glass and moves increasingly towards green walnut, which will surprise no one. Three drops of olive oil. With water: a brand-new pullover from House of Bruar. In no way from one of those cheap DNVBs one sees on Facebook, all drop shipping, and that entire circus. Mouth (neat): magnificent Ben Nevis marrying the sherry to the very molecule, with once again touches of peat (from the distillate?) and a lemon tango with grapefruit that is just perfect. It then becomes increasingly salty and we see a few mussels and oysters arriving. With water: archetypal, just avoid drowning it, that can flatten it slightly. But we are not falling into the trap, are we… Very pretty salted citrus fruits and a few drops of mezcal. Finish: long, with the walnuts returning and that slight mustardy note. Comments: we are once again very high indeed. How good this is, one could taste nothing but Ben Nevis, every day, on this miserable little website.
SGP:562 - 88 points.

Ben Nevis 26 yo 1997/2023 (50.9%, Whisky Lockhart, sherry butt, cask #116, 78 bottles)

Here we are in Hong Kong to conclude. Colour: straw. Nose: more elegance, vegetal oils in abundance, fresh hay, fruit peelings (melon, apple) and the arrival of medicinal notes, especially eucalyptus and rather gentle camphor. Increasingly a side of soft olive oil, more Italian or Provençal than from the Iberian Peninsula. Anyway, that is merely my view… With water: virgin wool returns. That famous new pullover… Mouth (neat): more vigorous on the palate, with pine needles and white pepper, a touch of horseradish, then lemon marmalade of the sort that wakes you instantly. Very fine salinity as well. With water: the nuts of the distillate and the nuts of the sherry mingle in a wild tango, refereed by crushed pepper. Finish: long, more bitter, as it should be. Touches of aubergine, a more saline aftertaste. Comments: the only slightly irksome thing with these vintages is that their reputation is such that rather than seeking the qualities, one looks for flaws. In this case, there are none that I can detect. Very fine Hong Kong bottle.
SGP:462 - 90 points.

(Thank you Chen & Grace)

Check the index of all Ben Nevis we've tasted