Five Indy Bottled Ben Nevis

Colour:

Chestnut.

Nose:

Neat: On first nosing, a wave of malt richness evokes strong Trappist ale and a touch of struck match sulphur. Dark and dried fruits, including figs, dates, and tangy apricots, mingle with an inviting hint of blackcurrant jam. Generous, warm baking spices – cinnamon especially, joined by the subtle spice of speculoos biscuits – rise next. These are softened by creamy undertones reminiscent of hand lotion, a suggestion of shoe polish, and honeycomb sweetness lingering in the background.

Palate:

Neat: The palate carries forward the rich and creamy impression, opening with ripe puréed peaches and sweet raspberries, immediately wrapped in warming, robust spice – cinnamon, cloves, and pepper all making themselves known. Bitter orange marmalade asserts itself mid-palate, balancing a surge of spicy oak. Dark chocolate and milky coffee – sweetened and stirred – add a bit of depth, but there’s a thread of artificial sweetness that stands apart in the otherwise harmonious ensemble.

Finish:

The finish holds steady with lingering pepper and cinnamon spice, joined by the familiar taste of Jaffa cakes. It remains medium in length.

Colour:

Russet.

Nose:

Neat: Autumn orchard fruits lead, with red apples and ripe plums layered over golden hay, cereal, and the deep sweetness of caramelised tarte tatin. Vanilla weaves through gentle oak, while the high bottling strength adds lively, but integrated, spice. The expected red fruits from the sherry show discretion, with whispers of blueberries and raspberries.

With water: Reduction brings the smoke of a dying oak fire in the fireplace, but after some more aeration, the smoke disappears, leaving place to dried cereals and vanilla pudding.

Palate:

Neat: Stewed fruits and vanilla cream announce themselves first, joined by a touch of oat and a robust berry compote – blackberries and tart redcurrants – in the mid-palate. The alcohol brings warmth and subtle spice, never overpowering, with a rounded texture and a light astringency. Melted chocolate and honey bring some comforting flavours, as well as some cigar tobacco.

With water: Blackcurrant purée, with smoked dark chocolate, and a smouldering cigar that you forgot on the ashtray, too busy analysing this Ben Nevis.

Finish:

Oatcakes, spiced apple chutney, and a final hint of toasty warmth linger long after the sip.

Colour:

Deep copper.

Nose:

Neat: A rich, complex aroma with fresh sea air and a mix of dried fruits such as prunes, raisins, apricots, and red apples. Sweet honeycomb and vanilla blend with spices like clove, cinnamon, and pepper. The nose also reveals herbal and savoury notes, including dried oregano, cedar, soy sauce, and subtle earthy hints, like wet stone and a touch of miso.

With water: Reduction brings exhaust fumes and dusty shelves, making for a drier nose. Plum skins and dried espresso crema on the side of the cup.

Palate:

Neat: The palate is full-bodied, starting with honeyed apples and tropical fruits such as mango, guava, pineapple, and melon. Herbal and oak-driven notes of pine, charred wood, and light peat develop, together with a dry sherry influence showing flavours of walnuts, soy sauce, and umami. There are also hints of coffee, dark chocolate, and gentle spice.

With water: Adding water softens the palate and enhances dry sherry and umami notes, along with green tea, herbal teas, and chocolate nuances.

Finish:

The finish is medium to long with lingering dried fruit sweetness – honeycomb, milk chocolate, tangerine peel, rhubarb, and raisins – alongside mineral earthiness, sandalwood, and a subtle salty umami depth.

Colour:

Russet.

Nose:

Neat: The nose is rich with dominant notes of dark chocolate combined with citrus fruits like orange marmalade, mandarin, and lemon. Sweetness comes from muscovado sugar, honey, and dried fruits such as apricot and mango. There are also nutty aromas – walnuts and marzipan – blended with subtle tobacco, pipe smoke, and hints of exotic woods. Floral and herbal touches appear alongside light spices like cloves and nutmeg.

With water: Reduction brings fallen autumnal leaves, more muscovado sugar, both walnut cake and oil, and sweet pipe tobacco. Cinnamon rolls and fresh pastries.

Palate:

Neat: The palate is robust and full-bodied, with an initial sweetness balanced by oak-driven spice and herbal bitterness. Flavours include orange liqueur, black liquorice, ginger, pepper, and toffee, alongside rich dark chocolate and cocoa powder. Tropical fruit notes such as grapefruit and banana add some tropical brightness, while a touch of leather and a hint of menthol bring even more complexity.

With water: A few drops of water allow more tropical fruits to shine, with maracuja and mangoes appearing now, but as tropical curds instead of fresh fruits.

Finish:

The finish is long and warming, with persistent oak spice, pepper, and ginger alongside notes of dark chocolate, rum, dried fruit, toffee, and a restrained vanilla sweetness. It fades gently with traces of mint and earthy undertones.

Colour:

Deep copper.

Nose:

Neat: The aroma is richly peated yet balanced with sweet and savoury layers. Initial scents offer mineral peat, earthy smoke, and maritime notes of scallops and sea salt. There is also a dirty side, with engine oil, smoke and tar. This is complemented by tobacco, liquorice, and gentle spices like cinnamon and pepper. Fruity hints of apple, blood orange, red apple skin, plum skin, and light esters add complexity alongside roasted walnuts and subtle floral honey.

With water: Reduction does not tame the nose. However, the smoke seems to become drier and ashier, farmy and funky aromas slightly stronger, with oily and yeasty peat.

Palate:

Neat: The palate is full-bodied and heavily peated, with a creamy texture, almost waxy. The palate features smoked cheese, bacon, and candied fruits, including date, figs, and grapes, and soft caramel. Sweetness also arises from vanilla custard, toffee, and honey, balanced by fresh fruit flavours of apple, pear and blood orange. Spicy notes of cinnamon, chilli, and black pepper interact with herbal sea salt, iodine, and a good amount of peat smoke. The youthfulness is evident but well managed with a pleasant density.

With water: A few drops of water seem to silent the fruits, leaving mostly the funkiness and peat express themselves, but sweet peat this time, less maritime. Marzipan and walnut wine.

Finish:

The finish is medium length with warming earthy peat and light smoky tobacco. There are lingering notes of creamy toffee, salted caramel, orange peel, roasted ham, and subtle dark fruits like strawberries and peaches. A cooling, slightly saline maritime character remains at the end.