Ben Nevis 41 yo 1967 / 2009 #1281 49.4%

Ben Nevis 41 yo 1967 / 2009 #1281 49.4%

Of course its big whisky and heavy sherry. You know how on one hand sherry maturation can be aromatic and dry but elegantly rich, well this one is the polar opposite. A muscular sherry, heavyset and brawny, with meaty and spice driven flavours yet also savoury, dripping with soy and boullion cubes, a drop of bovril even. Its a tincture of dark tree resins sticky gluey and almost medicinal, with burnt cedar and even a bit of oud. Or else is an unsweetened amaro with an overdose of sage, clove, licorice and aniseed chasing the meatiest honey ham and mango chutney. In its sinewy grasp, camphor, blackwood and teak oil are made to go well with bitter black tea and molasses. Unlit coal wait the flame in charred but cold stoves. Brusque and burly from start to finish, but leaving finally in a dry pucker, so yes the tannins do show, but here its part of the charm. A standard of sherry maturation I fear has become unattainable. 93 pts