This delightful 1996 vintage Ben Nevis was released as part of the Vintage Reserve series by Milroy's of Soho. Distilled 9th February and matured for 25 years in sherry butt #20 before being bottled at 47.6% vol 28th June 2021.
Tasting notes below are from Angus MacRaild via Whisky Fun. Rated 90 points.
Tasting Notes
Awards
Nose
That lovely impression of slightly overripe oranges, bitter marmalade and darker things like shoe polish, coal dust, dunnage earth and touches of cured game meats, old school bitter ales and mineral oils. A superbly 'phat' distillate with a nicely integrated and rather organic sherry profile. In time I find wee notes of almond oil and some bright notes of citrus zests.
Palate
The sherry is quite forwards on arrival. Very flinty, lightly mentholated, drying, salty and nervous. Resinous notes of darker fruits, tobaccos, bitter chocolate with sea salt, heather beers, liquorice, treacle and also some familiar Ben Nevis waxiness underneath. More of these overripe orange and marmalade notes. Indeed quite flinty and full of polish and gun metal vibes.
Finish
Good length, showing an earthier side with many dark grains, breads, cocoa, mineral oils again, more subtle cured meats and this familiar Ben Nevis pepperiness. Comments: an elegant and very well balanced cask that keeps the sherry and distillery characteristics in close harmony.