BEN NEVIS - 22 years old - Vintage 1996 - Single Cask No. 1789 - 54.10% ABV
The prestigious Ben Nevis distillery, founded in 1825, is among the oldest and most respected Scottish distilleries. Nestled at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland standing at 1,345 meters above sea level, this distillery benefits from an exceptional natural environment, ideal for crafting exceptional whiskies that perfectly embody traditional Scottish craftsmanship.
The main ingredients ensuring a whisky of optimal quality are crystal-clear water, selected barley, and live yeast, accompanied by a subtle touch of peated smoke, the aromatic signature of this region.
At the foot of Ben Nevis, two small lochans—Coire Leis and Coire na’Ciste—provide an inexhaustible source of pure and clear water, a vital element for distillation. The barley used is carefully cultivated, crunchy, fleshy, and perfectly balanced in proteins, thus ensuring a rich and complex malt base. The yeast, with its unique texture reminiscent of a paste or "mastic," plays a fundamental role in transforming the wort during fermentation. The peat, meanwhile, infuses the whisky thanks to water flowing through the mountainous peat bogs and the smoky aroma generated during the drying of the barley.
Since 1989, the Ben Nevis distillery has belonged to the Japanese group Nikka Whisky Distilling, based in Tokyo, reflecting a harmonious marriage between Scottish tradition and Japanese expertise.
This limited edition of only 580 bottles was meticulously bottled by Elixir Distillers, a renowned independent English bottler, in the prestigious "Single Malts of Scotland" range.
The 22-year-old Ben Nevis is an exceptional single malt distilled in 1996, from a single cask (No. 1789) and bottled at cask strength, offering a rare depth of flavor and remarkable aromatic power.
