1998 Ben Nevis 15 Year Old Fresh Sherry Butt #596 Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml)

This fresh sherry butt #596 was filled on June 23rd 1998. It matured for 15 years in warehouse No. 3 at this special distillery located at the base of the eponymously named mountain, Scotland's (and the British Isles) tallest. This special and rare malt has not been bottled at the distillery for the US market in more than a decade and represents one of the few offerings available from the Western Highlands region. The distillery was constructed in 1825 by the famous "Long John" Macdonald. In 1986, the distillery was mothballed following the early 80s whisky crash and purchased by Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. Ltd. in 1989. After a short refurbishment period the distillery started humming again in 1991. It has since produced excellent single malt almost exclusively for the European and Japanese market ever since. Despite occasional independently bottled casks, the distillery has been a total ghost in the US market until now. This fresh sherry casks exemplifies the character of Ben Nevis perfectly, dense and powerful with deep earthy meaty sherry, 50s hotrod (leather seats included), exotic tea and sweet caramelized fruit. On the palate expect deep smoke notes, more tanned hide, tropical citrus fruit, and powerful herbal finish. An old school malt to say the least and a dying breed these days, but absolutely one of the most special sherried malts on the shelf today.