Ben Nevis 1996 23 Year Old The Amber Light 52.2% 70cl

Selected by Dave Broom & Exclusive to Royal Mile Whiskies

Ben Nevis 1996 23 Year Old The Amber Light

A single cask bottling of Ben Nevis selected by whisky legend Dave Broom to celebrate the release of The Amber Light, a fantastic new film which explores the culture of Scotch whisky and its relationship to Scotland. This refill sherry butt was distilled and filled at Ben Nevis distillery in 1996 and matured for 23 years and bottled by The Thompson Bros. Only 497 bottles were drawn and the label was designed by the talented Katie Guthrie.

Dave Broom's Tasting Notes

 

Nose: A classic Ben Nevis nose of soft fruits on the verge of decay mixed with some acacia honey, cashew and hazelnut butter, and a rich almost meaty undertow. There’s a lovely dirtiness to this - the smell of a skillet in a burger joint.

 

Palate: A light cereal element in there, then more of the clinging fruits: peach, overripe mango, with that sweet core carried along by a thick unctuous oiliness which nods respectfully towards single pot still. Clings to the palate.

 

Finish & Conclusion: Muscular and rich and gently sweet. Easily sippable at full strength. In an era of whistle clean, vanilla accented, stadium filling crowd pleasers this is more of an old bluesman playing dirty riffs in a roadhouse out at the crossroads.