Ben Nevis is still under appreciated and while we had a period where the distiller seemed to avoid any barrel sales, many seem to be coming out of the wood work. This fabulous barrel exemplifies the idiosyncratic western Highland style that makes Ben Nevis feel like a malt with a great sense of place. If you've ever been to the rugged western highlands, and in particular the town of Fort Williams, this malt will transport you right back to that wild landscape. Let's give it a try. The color is a dull old gold (0.6) - not so dark, which is nice to see! The nose is full of dense malt and powerful oily flavors and needs tons of air to open up. If you can keep your glass full for a bit you'll notice a huge dark chocolate note, high toned Williams pear, peanut oil, cream fudge and scrubby highland shrubbery. The palate is extreme rich and continues on the chocolate and orchard fruit notes - adding some savory leathery and salumi aromas as it finishes. It's some how very different from many other modern Ben Nevis' but still so distinctly Ben Nevis. A beautiful, big contemplative malt that will enamor even the most jaded scotch fiend.