Ben Nevis 10 Year Old Cask Strength 2008 Batch 1

10 May 2021

Ben Nevis came on my radar just 3 years ago. When I bought the regular 10yo I was sold. It was still widely available and fairly priced. Not anymore…

Luckily there are plenty of independent bottlers to fill my needs for Ben Nevis. I’ve tasted some wonderful examples, which makes Ben Nevis one of my top picks on my favourites list. And when I really thought I’d never see an official bottling again… Lo and behold: there was the 2008 Cask Strength Batch No.1.

Despite paying almost four times the price I paid for the regular 10yo, I didn’t hesitate for a moment. And I’m glad I didn’t, here are my tasting notes:

Tasting notes

Nose

Spicy leather and sweet notes of milk chocolate, hazelnuts and yellow raisins. There’s also a umami aspect, revealed by mushrooms and salty minerals. A lovely whiff of dessert wine makes me crave for a sip.

Palate

Pretty high in alcohol (62.4%), but when get through the first burn it becomes very creamy. Bursts of warming spices, fudge and leather. Nuts, pine buds syrup, raisins and minerals.

Finish

The finish is long, savoury and sweet. Many chocolate notes, but also lots of raisins, hazelnuts and chestnuts. It gets a layer of freshness in the form of champagne, mint, cough lozenges and peach.

I could easily write another page full of notes, because with or without water, the vivid aromas and deep flavours keep changing. One of my favourite drams in the cabinet, this one.

Do you like Ben Nevis’ style?