Ben Nevis 10 Year Old 2010 The Duchess

Best of Whiskies – an online shop in The Netherlands – from time to time also bottles under the banner The Duchess. You may remember the Shieldmaidens series. They have now started the so-called Game & Wildlife series in which they already put out a Glenallachie 1995 and Ardbeg 1995. Today I have a young wine-finished Ben Nevis in my glass. Will you look at that beautiful label! This shelduck is painted by Dutch artist Hans Dillesse, whom I’ve met a few times. Great artist. But I digress. Let’s give this young Ben Nevis a go.

Pleasant if somewhat sickly nose on coconut rocks (pastry), strawberry jam and rhubarb, wrapped in a hessian cloth. Some earthy notes in the background. You wouldn’t say this is 56.7%. The wine influence is rather subtle. Soft and accessible.

It is much more outspoken on the palate. Very piquant on black and red peppers, bitter at the first sip, then immediately soften up by strawberries and other red fruit. Almond shavings, barley sugars and liquorice. The wine gives it a sweet twist and mildly drying effect. All in all, it works beautifully.

The finish is the trump card of this Ben Nevis. Long, very spicy and warm, rich and sweet at the same time with just a bit of tannins at the death. Something bubblegum-y too. My mouth is left parched though.

It’s quite different from these recent fruit bombs by Ben Nevis that I recently had. Around 100 EUR.

Find where to buy Ben Nevis whisky