Ben Nevis 1996/2020 24 Year Old - Sansibar
Nose
The nose welcomes us with a surprising lightness. Floral notes mingle with a gentle vanilla sweetness, accompanied by malty undertones and a hint of foliage. Gentle herbal flavours also resonate, giving the whisky a certain depth. The oak remains discreetly in the background - present, but by no means intrusive.
Taste
Here the Ben Nevis shows a completely different side. The oak is now clearly evident and brings a lovely spiciness with it. At the same time, a pleasant sweetness pushes forward - candy floss and a hint of stevia provide a slightly playful sweetness that harmonises wonderfully with the malty notes. An interesting contrast between strength and elegance.
Finish
The finish is of medium length and remains pleasantly warming on the tongue. The oak remains present without dominating. Not a dramatic finish, but a solid and pleasantly balanced end.
Thoughts
This Ben Nevis is a typical example of a mature Highland bottling. It has a pleasant blend of floral, sweet and spicy notes, but remains rather inconspicuous overall. The balance is successful, but it lacks that certain something to really stand out. Those who like classic oak spice with a hint of sweetness will not be disappointed, but there are more exciting alternatives.
Rating: 78/100 - Very Good (Marcel: 78 | Sascha: 77)
Further Information
Bottling Series: The Clans LabelCask Type: Ex-Bourbon Cask
Bottled for: deinwhisky.de
FAQ: The Most Common Questions
❓ What makes Ben Nevis whiskies so popular among connoisseurs?
👉 Ben Nevis is one of the few Scottish distilleries that produces both pot still and column still whisky, which makes for great variety. The distillery at the foot of Scotland's highest mountain often produces characterful, full-bodied whiskies.
❓ Why is the smell and flavour of this Ben Nevis 24 year old so different?
👉 The lighter, volatile compounds dominate the nose - floral esters and vanilla from the wood. The heavier, oilier components come to the fore on the palate - this is where the oak spice fully unfolds. After 24 years of ageing, the flavours have become layered.
❓ Who is this Ben Nevis 24 year old suitable for and are there better alternatives in this price range?
👉 This Ben Nevis is suitable for whisky lovers who appreciate elegant, well-balanced Highland whiskies without wanting extreme character traits. At 43.9%, it is strong to drink but not overpowering, the 24 years bring maturity without over-ageing. At 78/100 points, it is solid but not exceptional. Better alternatives could be a Clynelish, an Oban or a well-chosen Springbank - these often offer more character for similar money.