Review by: The Muskox

This is now my third 1996 Ben Nevis, and I’m still waiting for one of the legendary tropical-bombs I’ve heard so much about. Maybe this will be the time?

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Distillery: Ben Nevis.

Bottler: Hunter Laing.

Region: Highlands.

ABV: 50%.

Age: 24 years. Distilled December 1996. Bottled June 2021.

Cask type: Refill butt.

Price: N/A, sample.

Color: 0.2, Pale straw. Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.

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Nose: Surprisingly shy, even a little thin. White fruits, sweet malt, olive oil, and hay. There’s definitely a yeasty funk here, almost a little like a dried-mushroom tea. Something a little rubbery.

Palate: Medium texture, rather plush. Arrives malty and yeasty, along with a little citrus peel, black pepper, and old leather. Earthy-sweet on the development, with savoury oak, spicy gingerbread, and rich chocolate. Almost a rotting-wood character.

Finish: Medium-short, yeasty-tart. Light floral honey, ginger, crabapples, milk chocolate, banana bread. Lingering lemon and dissolved minerals.

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Possible SMWS bottling name: “Closet-fermented Pockys hooch”

Conclusion: Still not a tropical bomb. Not really even a great whisky in general, but still an okay one if you’re a fan of the more usual earthy-yeasty Ben Nevis of other vintages. Somehow too spirity and too oaky at the same time. Pass.

Final Score: 70.

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.