2009 Single Cask Nation Ben Nevis 8 Years is a lovely little whisky hailing from the Ben Nevis distillery which has been pumping out whisky since 1825. It’s not one of the most well known distilleries outside of the whisky geek realm, but they produce some mighty tasty whisky. It was founded by “Long John” McDonald – called so because he was 6’ 4” and when he died in 1856 ownership transferred to his son… Donald McDonald. I don’t know if Long John was mean or just had no imagination.
In Single Cask Nation’s Words: 2009 Single Cask Nation Ben Nevis 8 Years
“This cask bottling, distilled in November 1996, spent eight years maturing in a first fill oloroso butt. It was bottled at cask strength in January of 2017 at 64.8% ABV. Cask #92 yielded 622 bottles.
Warm and spicy with roasted almonds on the nose, becoming richly sweet on the palate with dense dark fruits before finishing on drying bitter chocolate and a hint of spearmint.”
We dove deep into this distillery recently at the Malt Nuts Ben Nevis Tasting which was awesome and I wish we could have had this there for it! Though that would have been quite the feat because it wasn’t available then and will be / is only available in CT, NY and NJ for now. And with that, on to the 2009 Single Cask Nation Ben Nevis 8 Years review.
2009 Single Cask Nation Ben Nevis 8 Years Info
Region: Highland, Scotland
Distiller: Ben Nevis
Bottler: Single Cask Nation
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: Refill Sherry Butt
Age: 8 Years
ABV: 64.8%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Barrel: 92
Price: $90*
2009 Single Cask Nation Ben Nevis 8 Years Review
EYE
Copper
NOSE
Nutty, buttery sherry enhanced with layers of spiced fruitcake, chocolate covered oranges, marzipan, dried dark fruit and a bit of nutmeg. Water enhances the nutty and buttery aspect and dulls down the spice a bit.
PALATE
Sherry explodes over the palate sending shrapnel of nuts, chocolate orange, spiced fruitcake, dried dark fruit and marzipan to the far corners of the palate. A light dusting of malty sweetness settles before heading into the finish. Water brings out more of the nutty aspect.
FINISH
Long sherry-laden fade that dives into notes of roasted malt, baking spice and cocoa.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good sense of balance, full body and a warm silken feel.
OVERALL
The 2009 Single Cask Nation Ben Nevis 8 Years doesn’t smell like it’s only 8 years old, but the palate has a bit of that crisp youthful quality to it. On the whole the aroma is delightful and seductively dances through the olfactory; the palate is an honorable tribute to sherry bombs everywhere and the finish is remarkably graceful. This is quite a nice whisky from start to finish.
SCORE: 87/100 (B+)
*Disclosure: This 2009 Single Cask Nation Ben Nevis 8 Years sample was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions and tasting notes are 100% my own.
