Ben Nevis 1996 15 Y.O. Sherry cask #1653 (bot. 2012)

sample from a friend

Nose: Light sherry. Generally on light, sweet malt. Crystallized lemon candy chews. Pith and waxy fruit. Delicate and subtle pre-ripe peach. I almost get the sense that there's phantom smoke. Spun sugar and honey. Very much a dessert malt. I hope that it doesn't melt my teeth! (with water) Water brings out more honey and the same sweet fruit and malt profile. There's also the addition of some mild and sweet summer flowers, and honeysuckle.

Palate: Surprisingly silky. Sweet malt, delicious lemondrop candy, and then some oak in the form of bitter lemon zest and flesh. Very sweet on sugar, but you don't have to worry about a sense of artificial sweeteneer. (with water) Swims really well, just makes everything bigger and just that much more accessible, if not a touch sweeter (!), like the sugary drizzle on gulab jamun

Finish: Much more of the same. This was rather a straightforward malt, very well executed and balanced. And even easier to enjoy.

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