Ben Nevis 9 Year (2012), SMWS 78.59 "Burning berries"
Whisky: Ben Nevis 9 Year (2012), SMWS 78.59 "Burning berries"
Country/Region: Scotland/Highland
ABV: 57.8%
Cask: First Fill Bourbon Hogshead
Age: 9 Years (Distilled 7 Dec. 2012)
Nose: Fruity and youthful, peppery, gum drops, creamy and malty with time.
Palate: Medium-bodied and oily, fruit candies, wood, slightly mineral and peppery toward the end; water brought out more distinctive fruits and dampened the spirited quality.
Finish: Medium-length and peppery with fruity candies and drying wood.
Score: 5-6 (76)
Mental Image: Lumberjack Bubble Gum
Narrative & Notes: Fruity and youthful— bubblegum, gum drops, and fruit flavored gummy candies wafted in with a fair helping of peppery spirit. Youthful and prickly with subtle notions of cream filled Tokyo banana pastries, strawberry sponge cake, and pineapple shortbread. Medium-bodied with an oily mouthfeel, the youthfulness of the whisky stood out right away as peppery spirit lingered behind bubble gum and fruity gummy candies. Swedish fish and fruit punch Starburst popped on the palate with freshly milled lumber and a mellow mineral quality as peppery spirit carried toward the end. A healthy dash of water cooled the spirit nicely and brought more melon and citrus fruits. The finish was medium-length and peppery with fruity candies and some drying wood.
This benefited massively from the addition of some water to ward off youthful spirits. The flavors were initially quite peppery and prickly— no surprise there, many of these young SMWS bottles can be quite feisty and a touch raw. Water cooled the pepperiness, and even a big table spoon left the oiliness of the mouthfeel intact. The fruits were always slightly too artificial for my taste and the whisky lacked much complexity, but for those in search of a fruit bomb, there was plenty to love.
Overall, water helped, but the flavors were simple and not to my taste— ideal, I think, for a high ball or on the rocks.
