Most bottlers have pushed a final batch of releases earlier than the summer time break. The Whisky Jury had a variety of whiskies, rums (keep tuned) and their first Calvados (later). We begin with two highlights among the many whiskies: Ben Nevis 1998 and Kildalton 2003. The latter is technically a blended malt, however in fact the identify refers to a single distillery specifically.
You possibly can test their retailers listing, however a variety of the releases are gone earlier than you already know it.
Ben Nevis 26 yo 1998 (48,3%, The Whisky Jury for Belgium 2025, refill hogshead#1562, 92 btl.)
Nostril: very engaging, with a touch of marshmallow and marzipan, together with peach, tangerine pores and skin and delicate vanilla. Ripe mango as properly. Then hints of paraffin and beeswax, in addition to a lightweight minty be aware and a few brass polish. Whiffs of gorse, hay and honey as properly.
Mouth: nonetheless reasonably very good. Candy and barely tropical fruits, like tangerine, apricot and guava, in addition to oranges and gooseberries. Nonetheless a touch of marzipan. Then it turns into reasonably extra mundane, with plain barley and a few beer-like notes, some dried grass and a refined trace of salted butter. Boiled sweets, ginger and extra maltiness.
End: fairly lengthy, on citrus and pear, yeasty notes and delicate oaky notes.
I do know the 1996 classic is often seen as the head of latest Ben Nevis, however this 1998 could be very, very tremendous as properly. A barely completely different and sweeter fruitiness, however actually nice. It is going to be exhausting to get, even if you happen to dwell in the correct nation, however fairly a should in your Nevis assortment!
Kildalton 21 yo 2003 – Blended Malt (51,3%, The Whisky Jury 2025, second fill bourbon cask #11124, 276 btl.)
Nostril: very coastal, with a lot of elegant peat and graphite. Smouldering leaves and coal smoke, hints of menthol and delicate antiseptics, in addition to some seaside pebbles. Such an amazing sooty model! Additionally crushed chalk and smoke lemon juice. Beneath there’s a sweeter vanilla layer and one thing of stewed kiwi. Glorious.
Mouth: huge, courageous and oily, with extra of this gloriously maritime profile. Crushed sea shells, hints of smoked fish, fisherman’s ropes and a very good dose of freshly laid tarmac. Some TCP. Then refined hints of sweetened lemon juice, with greener peppery notes and honey glazed meat.
End: lengthy and warming, with extra tarry notes, seaweed and deep smoke, together with a touch of sea salt and tobacco.
In the event you have been solely considering of shopping for the Ben Nevis, assume twice. It is a actually glorious ‘Beg with a gutsy profile: the tarry smoke is matched to simply sufficient sweetness. Love this. Rating: 91/100
