Ben Nevis 10 yo (46%, OB, 2021)
A tasteful and confident looking re-branding if you ask me. I always think lots of blank space is rather cool and powerful on a label. Although, it does look quite 'Japanese', if I may say so… Colour: straw. Nose: impressively, and immediately, 'old school'. Lots of chalk, waxes, plaster, limestone and white flowers. Feels closer to these late 90s batches in profile than some of the sweeter recent batches. Goes on with some lemon peel, waxy citrons, hay, and barley water. Wonderfully natural and, if I may say so, uncommercial. Mouth: lovely fat and waxy arrival, lots of olive oil, light ointments, natural barley derived sweetness and encroaching exotic fruits ala the 1996s. Wonderful texture in the mouth and 'presence', makes you wonder if they haven't added one or two older casks to the mix? Finish: good length, oiliness, malt extract, waxes, citrus oils, very lightly medicinal and gently herbal. Comments: I dread to think how many far, far more expensive whiskies would be unceremoniously slaughtered by this and Springbank 10yo. This is charming, hugely characterful, precise, distinctive, extremely well balanced and, most importantly, totally delicious. Someone dangerously clever was behind this…
SGP: 562 - 89 points.

Glencoe 8 yo 'Highland Blended Malt' (58%, OB, 2021)
I purchased this bottle at the distillery last time I was passing, only because they had no single malt available whatsoever - oh, apart from stupid miniatures. Dear Nikka… cough *hand fill / distillery exclusive* cough…please. Colour: gold. Nose: I actually find it highly reminiscent of the very same brand's 1980s batches. A lot of hot grist, concrete, porridge, aspirin, crushed ferns - all rather big, powerful and austere. Takes no prisoners and probably more 'challenging' than many peated malts. Goes on with a funny mix of golden syrup and mashed potatoes. With water: not particularly 'easier' by any stretch, but perhaps more rounded, more bread, oils, toolbox rags, metal polish and a slightly sweeter side. Mouth: big, grizzly and hot. Lots of sweetened cooking oils, pink pepper, vase water, mineral oils and wee touches of camphor and putty. Chunky whisky that you might break a tooth on if you're not careful. With water: still very peppery, spiky and hot. But quite a bit of golden syrup on brown bread now too, which adds richness and weight. Barley sugars and some fudge. Finish: medium, spicy, peppery and with some sweet malt extract and stout beer. Comments: it's rather charming that this is still every inch the unsexy and tricksy monster as it was in the 80s and earlier. No idea what proportion of Ben Nevis goes into this - or which other malts. I've heard Tomintoul mentioned before but that seems fanciful given how boisterous this is. Good fun for highballs and rusty nails probably.
SGP: 571 - 81 points.

Ben Nevis 9 yo 2012/2021 (53%, Dram Mor, cask #115, 1st fill palo cortado finish, 351 bottles)
Colour: pale gold. Nose: a rather tart, crisp and sharp sherry influence that leaves an impression of salinity and even acidity at first nosing. Brown bread, hessian, lambic ales, preserved dark fruits and a quite dry, punchy earthiness. With water: a sprig of mint, some eucalyptus, sugary black tea and hessian. Mouth: red berries, more bready notes, pickled walnuts, camphor, tarragon, aniseed and various roots and herbs. So far it feels a tad simple but punchy and pretty good. With water: sweeter, some citrus curds, barley water, bitter marmalade - solid! Finish: rather long and on cinnamon and aniseed boiled sweets, cough mixtures and barley sugars. Suddenly all rather old school confectionary focussed! Comments: a bit tough at times and rough round the edges in places, but I think the finish worked quite well here, there's a ruggedness about it which is enjoyable.
SGP: 562 - 84 points.

Ben Nevis 10 yo 2010/2021 (56.7%, The Duchess, Shiraz cask finish, cask #1800020, 317 bottles)
No shortage of Ducks and assorted other wildlife on whisky labels since the 1980s it would seem… Colour: rose gold. Nose: slightly lactic at first, some kind of sour cherry beer, forest fruits yoghurt, sourdough bread starter, rose champagne and wee touches of hessian and mineral oil. I find it a wee bit disjointed and sharp, but not without its charms. Thankfully the wine isn't too over the top. With water: slightly dusty, on plasticine, plain barley, digestives, white flowers. Also chlorophyl and red chilli oil. Getting rather hot and spicy now in fact. Mouth: good body on arrival, oils, putty, damsons, dried flowers, pot pourri. Becomes a tad more unlikely with red fruit gums and red liquorice. Grains and cereals, mashed potato, olive oil, putty. Funny stuff, but more 'fun' than 'stuff' (Angus, WTF?!) With water: at its best I would say, there's some nicely oily, spicy and lightly waxy Ben Nevis coming through loud and clear, but there's this slight but definite wine influence that I do struggle with a bit it must be said. Finish: good length, returning to chilli, strawberry sherbet, white pepper, olive oil and mustard powder. Comments: Quite a lot of fun overall, but these kinds of wine finishes aren't really my cup of malt I'm afraid.
SGP: 651 - 82 points.