Ben Nevis Traditional

Mild peat, salty air, pear, barley malt. Smooth

Tried neat with @Looneyhead Peaty and earthy on the nose sweat on the palate with slight smoke. Thanks from sharing all the way from scotland!

Nose: Sooty peat, woodsmoke, citrus, honey. There is a light maritime note but it is not briny. A dash of water brings out floral notes. Palate: Sweet citrus arrival with rapidly appearing pepper and capsicum, but the sweetness persists and is dominant. White grapes, vanilla, brown sugar or treacle, ginger biscuits. The texture is oily and satisfying. Reduction makes the late arrival sweeter and more nectar-like. Finish: Medium/Long. Sweet honeyish peat, like a spicy Highland Park. Reduction increases the length. A few years ago Ben Nevis released an expression called “McDonald’s Celebrated Traditional” in a distinctive tall bottle and old-school label. It had a short run and then disappeared, but recently this new expression simply called “Traditional” has been released and seems to be a part of the core range. Whether this malt is the same as the previous bottling I don’t know (I do have a bottle of “McDonald’s Celebrated” in my stash but it has not yet been opened). Regardless, this is lovely whisky and it gets a definite rating of “excellent” from me. Highly recommended if you like peated single malts. Tasted at Ben Nevis distillery, 9 April 2025 “Excellent” : 88/100 (4.5 stars)