Ben Nevis 17 Year (1996), Maltman Cask 409
Whisky: Ben Nevis 17 Year (1996), Maltman Cask 409
Country/Region: Scotland/Highland
ABV: 46%
Cask: Fino Sherry Butt
Age: 17 Years (Distilled Nov. 1996, Bottled Aug. 2014)
Nose: Intense lemon and grapefruit with more subtle pine around the edges with creamy birthday cake frosting; old chalkboards and mothballs with jabong (pomelo) and a touch of grapefruit and mineral oil.
Palate: Medium-bodied and dry, bittersweet and tart fruits with citrusy grapefruit, lemon, and jabong— bitter oranges appeared with green mango and unripe guava; chalk and old blackboard appeared with mineral oil, earth, and a touch of old wood.
Finish: Medium-length with citrus, mineral oil, and a hint of heather.
Score: 6-7 (79)
Mental Image: Chalkboard Eraser Cleaning
Narrative & Notes: I initially tried this blind as part of an online whisky group mystery advent calendar. A few samples got a bit delayed and I am currently knocking them out before we start our 2024 series! The aroma was sharp with an intense lemony citrus and more subtle cream and pine elements until things settled and more floral and slightly bitter fruits joined. The palate was more the same, with a dry white wine quality and a bittersweet mix of tart and acidic fruits until more mineral and chalky elements developed. The finish was generally nice with citrus and mineral oil parting so that a touch of heather and some of those earthy-wood notes came through.
As with many of these blind samples, I had no idea what to guess. It tasted older than some of the other whiskies, though it had a slightly off-putting bittersweet quality. I guessed it was a late-teen Cragganmore based on the mouthfeel, fruits, and mineral oil vibes— though it lacked the richness I would expect.
I was wrong! It was a 1996 Ben Nevis under Meadowside Blender’s Maltman label. I was shocked to see that it was matured in a Fino Sherry Butt, as I did not pick up any strong cask influence. It was certainly no sherry bomb, and not really the sort of tropical fruit bomb that drives people to seek out Ben Nevis from 1996.
Overall, a bit of an oddball, but enjoyable.
