This sherry matured Ben Nevis was bottled by the Creative Whisky Company for the online whisky retailed The Whisky Exchange. It came somewhere near the very end of operations for the Creative Whisky Company as David Stirk bowed out of the increasingly expensive and thin margins of the whisky trade to head off as a writer.

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Whisky: Ben Nevis 18 Year (1999), Creative Whisky Company for the Whisky Exchange

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland

ABV: 50.8%

Cask: Sherry Butt

Age: 18 Years (Distilled 1999)

Notes: Waxy citrusy peel gummy bears and oatmeal cookies, the aroma was malty and fruity but altogether reserved.  A kiss of bubblegum and papery bubblegum wrapper lingered in the background with kiwi skins, birthday cake frosting, and refined sugar. Medium-bodied on the palate, initially quite juicy and fruity, the flavor profile followed a familiar path toward more paper and refined sugar for a slightly austere finish. Lemon peel candies, birthday cake pops, tangerine, and frosted oatmeal cookies arrived first with cracked black pepper and some lively spirit in tow. Paper notes, bubble gum wrappers, a kiss of bubble gum, and cake frosting appeared toward the end. The finish was medium-length, a touch spirited, a touch fruity, it was generally mellow and mild with a lasting sweetness.

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Score: 6-7 (79)

Mental Image: Birthday Party Sugar High

Conclusion: Pleasant and enjoyable, this had a lot in common with older and more austere Ben Nevis, though it had a greater portion of refined sugar to it and less wood. This certainly lacked the big juicy fruits or dirtier elements that drive demand for the 1996 vintage, or earlier in the 90s. On that note, the sherry cask influence was almost invisible here. It was still an enjoyable whisky, though perhaps a bit more anonymous Highland or Speyside than is typical for Ben Nevis— you could have told me this was a Strathmill or Mannochmore and I would have believed you.  Overall, enjoyable., though not memorable.