Ben Bracken Highland
The discounter LIDL has some single malts in its range, including the Ben Bracken Highland, which is described as light and elegant. We took a closer look at the Whisky.LIDL does not reveal which distillery is behind Ben Bracken. All we know is that we have a Whisky from the Highlands at a bargain price in our glass. The packaging is blue, which distinguishes it from the other Whiskys in the series. There is also an Islay Whisky, an Highland peated and a bottling from Speyside.
Tasting Notes
Nose
We smell glue and strong alcoholic pungency. Minimally, we can perceive caramel and sweet fruits, light malt. However, the notes are all very weak, while the alcohol is so strong that it clears the nose better than Airwaves chewing gum does.
Palate
Not at all as dramatic as we expected after that awful smell. Faint and thin, aromas of pear, apple and Elderberry slowly begin to spread. Unfortunately, the alcoholic pungency prevails here as well.
Finish
The very short finish makes us think of rotten walnuts. There is also a bit of black coffee.
Thoughts
Marcel 50/100
For the small price, you can’t expect a flavor explosion here – the Ben Bracken Highland is more of a tired companion, offering a sharp alcoholic bite and a thin fruit profile that hardly brings any joy to the glass. More of a last resort than a pleasure, it’s quickly forgotten.
Sascha 50/100
Structurally, the Ben Bracken Highland feels unbalanced and dominated by a harsh alcohol sharpness, while aromatically it barely delivers any depth or complexity. The finish, with its slightly unpleasant notes, reinforces the impression of a budget but disappointing Highland whisky.
Value for Money: Fair
Discover our value for money winnersRelated Reviews
Tomatin 2009/2021 - Gordon & MacPhail
Approachable but not boring – this Highland single malt shows what independent bottlers like Gordon & MacPhail can draw out of a distillery like Tomatin. The Discovery range is designed as an accessible entry point into different whisky styles – smoky, sherried, or fruity. This 2009 Tomatin clearly belongs to the fruity corner – and delivers just that.
76/100
Nc'nean Quiet Rebels Gordon 2009/2023
Nc'Nean stands for modern, sustainable whisky production and dares to experiment with the ‘Quiet Rebels’ series. The ‘Gordon’ is a limited, seasonal bottling that consists of a special cask combination: 74 STR casks, 19% sherry casks and 7% French sweet wine casks.
78/100
Glenfiddich Reserve Cask
The Glenfiddich Reserve Cask is another whisky from the famous Speyside distillery that fits perfectly into the line of Glenfiddich's Cask Collection. With 40 % vol. and no age statement, this single malt is clearly aimed at the masses. It is a whisky that was made for many occasions, but can it also score points with more discerning connoisseurs? A look at the details shows that this whisky is one thing above all: accessible.
65/100Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the distillery behind Ben Bracken Highland not known?
Ben Bracken Highland is marketed as a whisky from an independent bottler called Clydesdale. The actual producer or distillery is not disclosed by LIDL, which is common practice for some discount whiskies to keep the origin confidential.
How does the 40% alcohol content affect the taste of this whisky?
At 40% ABV, the Ben Bracken Highland shows a pronounced alcoholic sharpness despite its moderate strength, which is clearly noticeable both on the nose and the palate, partially overshadowing the subtle fruit and malt aromas.
What flavor impressions can be expected from Ben Bracken Highland despite its low age?
Although the whisky carries no age statement, light notes of pear, apple, and elderflower appear on the palate. The finish is short and reminiscent of musty walnuts and black coffee, accompanied by a lingering alcoholic sharpness.