Whisky: Ben Nevis 8 Year (2012), SMWS 78.53 "Death in the afternoon"

Country/Region: Scotland/Highlands

ABV: 60%

Cask: Bourbon Hogshead (5Y), 2nd Fill Oloroso Hogshead

Age: 8 Years (Distilled 22 Nov. 2012)

Nose: Fruity with subtle cream and salt, lime and green apple, chocolate, hints of licorice, malty fried pastries.

Palate: Medium-bodied and oily, fruity and creamy, lime and green apple, fried pastries, cinnamon, pepper, and earth.

Finish: Medium-length, spirited and numbing with fruity saltwater taffy and pepper.

Score: 6-7 (79)

Mental Image: Candy Hoard of the Boardwalk Trolls

Narrative & Notes: Big sweet fruits and creamy candies collided with salt water taffy, setting off a sugary explosion of lime, green apple, and milk chocolate. Gummies galore with chocolate covered pineapple gummy bears and strawberry licorice rings.  A kiss of salt and fried Twinkies lingered further in the background, hinting at something more akin to the Fun Fare than the boardwalk. Medium-bodied and oily with big fruit and cream notes the veered from a tangy Key Lime pie toward green apple and lime gushers. Fried Twinkies and apple pies popped on with cinnamon spice, black pepper, and a subtle earthiness.  The finish was spirited and numbing with fruity salt water taffy and pepper.

Fruity and feisty, this has a lot in common with the other young Ben Nevis I reviewed this week. I thought it rose from the pack with more clearly defined fruity flavors, more tangy citrus on the palate, and less spirited prickle.  It was still peppery and youthful, but not as hot and raw.  Much like the others, a few drops of water mellowed the spirit out and allowed a great depth of tropical fruits to emerge with lychee and soursop joining the fruity party.

Overall, a fruity riot— still a touch sweet for my taste, but this was playful and took to water nicely.