Ben Nevis 27 Year Old 1996 Whisky Sponge 58b Single Sherry Cask (2024) 70cl
After a very long gap, Whisky Sponge Edition No.58b is finally here. It's rather fitting that this will be the very last Sponge bottling we'll release. Forever. (Probably).
This is the second half of the same butt of Ben Nevis 1996 we bottled as Edition No. 58a, only this one has been finished in a 2nd fill sherry butt for just over two years. It tastes like Optimus Prime after an intense workout while wearing a sheep wool cardigan in a cosmic potting shed, according to the blurb written by Decadent Drinks.
Whiskey Sponge Edition No.58b is the long-awaited successor to Edition No.58a. It is the same whisky, a refill cask from Ben Nevis from 1996, only we matured the second half for just over two years in a 2nd fill sherry butt.
Decadent Drinks then bottled the whisky with a slight reduction to 55%. This is a big, rich, oily, waxy and mechanical Ben Nevis, powerful, West Highland, distillate driven, with a hint of sherry earthiness.
Tasting Notes
Nose : Mechanical, waxy, oily, with delicate notes of mashed exotic fruits, may types of cooking oils, paraffin and even some salty and leathery touches.
Palate : Very fat and waxy, mechanical and oily once again, lots of dried fruits, herbs, cured meats, medicines and hessian. Also olive oil and more camphor notes. Very big whiskey!
Finish : Long, salty, waxy, oily, some sesame oil, natural tar and a very mineral aftertaste.
About Ben Nevis
The Ben Nevis 2005, a distinguished single malt Scotch whisky, marks a remarkable entry into the Private Cask Bottling series by the esteemed Ben Nevis Distillery. Distilled on the 26th of May, 2005, and bottled on the same date in 2023, this expression celebrates 18 years of meticulous aging in a hogshead cask, under the cask number 399. This specific bottling, crafted at a potent strength of 56.5% Vol. in a 700 ml bottle, is dedicated to David Downes Oaklee of Queensbury, Bradford, carrying the moniker "The Water of Life" on its label, a nod to the Gaelic roots of whisky. The choice of a hogshead cask for the aging process imbues this whisky with a distinctive character, offering a rich tapestry of flavors and aromas that resonate with the rugged beauty and storied history of the Ben Nevis distillery. The high alcohol content promises an intense and engaging tasting experience, showcasing the whisky's deep complexity and the refined craftsmanship that has gone into its creation. The Ben Nevis 2005 Private Cask Bottling stands as a testament to the art of whisky making, representing a unique collaboration between the distillery and an individual passion for whisky. It embodies a perfect blend of tradition and personal dedication, making it not just a remarkable whisky but also a piece of history, bottled to be savored and appreciated by those who understand the depth and nuances of single malt Scotch.
55% ABV
70cl
