Ben Nevis 23 Years Old The Whisky Trail Cask 1684 54.3% 1996

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (90)

They say the 1996s are all great. Are we really sure? Colour: straw. Nose: you can't quite fight this. Peaches, sunflower seeds (or oil), fresh almonds, plaster, a drop of mint essence, white asparagus… The taster just bows before this. With water: wool, new magazines, ground barley, chalk and a brand new tweed jacket. Which I'll go buy in Edinburgh as soon as we're allowed to fly. Mouth (neat): astounding precision. Maracuja, flints, chalk, citrons, touch of pepper, olive oil, whatnot… With water: more on cakes. Finish: medium, saltier. Lemon, salt and pepper in the aftertaste, the salt even plays with your lips. Comments: boringly excellent. Fab selection once again, nothing to add. Or rather this, 'more please'. They could sell subscriptions, no?