1997 Ben Nevis 21 Year Old "Old Malt Cask" K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

Notes

Ben Nevis sits just at the base of its namesake, Scotland's highest mountain. A coastal distillery in the Western Highlands, Ben Nevis draws its water from the Allt a'Mhuilinn which originates from two pools, Coire Leis and Coire na Ciste, which are both sited a good way up the mountain. The distillery was founded in 1825, by the gloriously named 'Long John' MacDonald, for whom the renowned Long John-blended Scotch was named. After Long John's death in 1856, ownership was passed down to Donald McDonald, his son. In 1989, the distillery was sold to the Japanese distiller Nikka, and that's where most of the malt is used (both in blends and malt for the Japanese market). We've always loved this special idiosyncratic distillery on the gorgeous western coast of Scotland. The thick, weighty malt that's produced here is often too much to handle in the third and fourth fill barrels we often see from the IBs. But when great Ben Nevis is filled into a first fill bourbon or sherry butt, there's absolutely nothing like it. This cask is rich with funky, malty aromatics, but not over the top. With a medium amber hue and tons of texture, the most shocking thing about it is the incredible price. We're very lucky to have an advantageous exchange rate and some really serious negotiating power. The oily richness of Ben Nevis loves plenty of air, and a dab of good spring water will really help open this monster up.