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Ben Nevis The Single Malts of Scotland 1996 23 Years Single Malt Whisky

Ben Nevis 1996 ElD

Ben Nevis

Highlands · United Kingdom

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Whisky Information

Age
23 years
ABV
48.9%
Volume
700 ml
Category
Single Malt Whisky
Distillery
Ben Nevis
Distillation Year
28.10.1996
Bottling Year
24.07.2020
Cask Types
Hogshead

Price

Latest market prices from domestic and international sources

Recent history

Lowest Price:€230.33(2024-08-27)

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Ben Nevis Distillery, established in 1825 by Long John MacDonald, stands as one of Scotland's most historically significant whisky producers. Located at the foot of Ben Nevis, the UK's highest peak, it uniquely sources water filtered through ancient peat bogs and granite for over a century, creating an unparalleled mineral profile. As one of only three Highland distilleries licensed immediately after the 1823 Excise Act, it pioneered legal whisky production in the region. The distillery holds a revered place in Japanese whisky history: Taketsuru Masataka, the father of Japanese whisky, apprenticed here in the 1920s, finding its robust character aligned with his vision. His Scottish wife Rita Taketsuru (née Macdonald) was ironically a descendant of the distillery's founding family. In 1989, Nikka Whisky acquired Ben Nevis, fulfilling Taketsuru's long-held admiration. Ben Nevis distinguishes itself through uncompromising traditional methods: no caramel coloring, no chill filtration, and uniquely in Scotland, fermentation using beer yeast. This creates a full-bodied spirit with intense stone fruit, orange marmalade, and dark chocolate notes, developing characteristic leather and tobacco complexity with age. The distillery employs traditional worm tub condensers and direct fire heating on some stills, preserving historic character. Production is split: approximately 30% of new make spirit ships directly to Japan for maturation in Nikka's warehouses, while the remainder ages on-site for Ben Nevis's scarce official bottlings. Due to severe stock shortages, age statements are deliberately understated—8-year-old releases contain 8-14 year whisky, 10-year-olds contain 12-15 year, and 15-year-olds contain 17+ year spirit. This makes authentic OB expressions exceptionally rare compared to numerous independent bottlings, positioning Ben Nevis as a cult favorite among connoisseurs seeking unadulterated, traditional Highland single malt.
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Tasting Notes & Reviews

6-10 of 24 notes Log in to rate
Whiskyspace Notes 1709

Whiskyspace Notes 1709

Jun 23, 2026, 03:08:44

Right, so this one's absolutely mad on the fruit front. Like, stupidly fruity. First thing that hits me is this massive mango juice vibe, almost like someone's squeezed a tropical smoothie into my glass. Then there's tangerines, papaya, even some pineapple chunks floating about in there 🍍 There's this sharp kick too — passion fruit sours and little flecks of kiwi that just zing across the tongue. Bit of pink grapefruit tartness keeping it all honest. Really no-nonsense fruit juice stuff, the kind where you get little bits of fruit salad pulp stuck in your gums after. Underneath all that there's something more grounded — oily cereals, a touch of straw, maybe some crushed nettles giving it a bit of green edge. A slight waxiness too that gives it some proper poise. Honestly it's like drinking summer in a glass. Totally brilliant juiciness that just keeps going, super luscious and refreshing. Starfruit popping up here and there as well 🥭 Really well put together — not nervous at all, just confident and gloriously fruity from start to finish. One of those drams where you keep going back for another sip without even thinking about it.

Whiskyspace Notes 1533

Whiskyspace Notes 1533

Jun 6, 2026, 23:49:01

这杯酒体算中等吧,但第一感觉居然是那种新鲜黄油的柔滑,比想象中要细腻得多。果香非常奔放,一上来就是粉粉的香蕉和百香果味,像一口咬开热带水果拼盘。 有点意思的是,里头居然喝出了精酿IPA的那种酒花感,甚至联想到西柚和柠檬草,尾段慢慢蒸发,留下一点尤加利叶的清凉。 咽下去之后,余味越来越草本、越青绿,感觉不错。后头突然钻出一股更深的烟熏味,不只是烟,最后甚至有点像……灰烬?还带点粉笔、燧石和水泥那种矿物感,噼里啪啦全来了,有点像个小小的地质展览。 整体风味很对得起它出色的闻香,完全落在热带水果的主轴上。隐约还有点白葡萄酒的酸度,以及一点点蜡质和……呃,刚刷的油漆味?挺奇妙的。

Whiskyspace Notes 1395

Whiskyspace Notes 1395

Jun 3, 2026, 18:09:41

I'm hit with waves of tangerines and mango juice right away – so juicy and vibrant. It's like a no-nonsense fruit drink with bits of fruit salad pulp lingering in my gums. There's a nice tartness from papaya, sharp flecks of kiwi, and chunks of pineapple popping through. The finish is long, with oily cereals and a hint of crushed nettles. Wow, it's stupidly fruity and amazing! 😊

Whiskyspace Notes 1322

Whiskyspace Notes 1322

Jun 2, 2026, 10:31:03

First sip, and the juiciness just hits you – totally brilliant! The poise with oily cereals is spot on, and that nervousness from the sharpness keeps it lively. Fruitiness is everywhere: papaya, pink grapefruit, even crushed nettles for a wild edge. Tastes like no-nonsense fruit juice, with mango and straw weaving in. The tartness on the finish is long and refreshing. 😊

Whiskyspace Notes 1262

Whiskyspace Notes 1262

May 27, 2026, 10:25:50

Right, this one's proper fruity - like sticking your nose in a bowl of tropical punch. First sip and you get this zingy sharpness, almost like pink grapefruit zest. But then it totally mellows out into... honestly, just juice. Mango juice mixed with those tinned pineapple chunks, with maybe some passion fruit sours on the side. Super juicy, no-nonsense fruitiness. The finish is luscious though, keeps that sweet papaya and tangerine thing going forever. There's this little tartness right at the end, like sharp flecks of kiwi that kinda wakes you up. Bloody hell, it's stupidly fruity in the best way. 🍊🥭

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