Nose: Branston pickle, funky, sulphur, nutty, dried dark fruit, baking spices Palate: More pleasantly earthy, dirty, funky notes. Nutty, oak, dark fruit, baked apples, spices (cinnamon, white pepper, ginger), orange zest, dark chocolate, liquorice. Finish: Long finish. More of the same notes, but heading further into spiced Christmas cake and burnt raisins. Pleasantly bitter and leathery on the aftertaste. Water doesn’t really change anything other than to bring out more of the dark fruit and orange notes. I dont often add water to a malt, but this one is perfectly pleasnt with or without - although the high ABV has meant I usually add a few drops to mellow it out a little. Distillery: Ben Nevis Age: 9y/o Distilled date: 5/11/2013 Cask: 2nd fill ex-oloroso butt ABV: 67.3% I’m a big fan of a high ABV Ben Nevis, and this is one of the better ones I’ve tried recently. I first tried this at the SMWS in Glasgow and immediately boight a bottle - it made a great first impression! It’s a punchy, dirty, fruity and nutty wee dram. The ABV is evident, but not overly jarring - if you like a cask strenth, you’ll appreciate this dram. I really like this dirty whisky.