Ben Nevis 2015 100 Proof Edition #48 Signatory Vintage

Profile: The Ben Nevis 2015 100 Proof Edition #48 Signatory Vintage at a glance

• Ben Nevis 2015: A Highlander with attitude - and plenty of steam
• Edition #48 of the Signatory 100 Proof Edition
• Ben Nevis 2015: Heavyweight with Highland attitude
• Sherry cask power: First fill Oloroso ensures depth
• Leather, nuts, dark chocolate: Sounds like a dessert with muscles
• Signatory Vintage: The independent bottlers

Portrait: What makes the Ben Nevis 2015 100 Proof Edition #48 Signatory Vintage special

Ben Nevis - not only the highest mountain in Scotland, but also a distillery that likes to fly under the radar and then suddenly comes around the corner with a single malt that has as much character as a Scottish pub on a Friday night..

For the 100 Proof Edition #48, Signatory Vintage has taken precisely this character and packed it with plenty of fire: 57.1% vol., as always with this series - it's not just strong, it's officially gunpowder-worthy. But fear not: Nothing burns here except passion (and perhaps, briefly, the palate).

The Ben Nevis 2015 was allowed to mature for nine years in First Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts - which, in whisky jargon, means something like: "I have style, depth, and the wood loves me." Nothing was left to chance here. Big casks, big name, big presence.

The label itself screams: "I'm no lightweight" - and the contents deliver. Heavy, dark, spicy, almost dramatic. You can practically hear bagpipes in the background and see a Highlander striding through the fog in slow motion.

And all this at a price that makes you wonder if Signatory accidentally swapped the cask for the price tag.
In short: This Ben Nevis fires up. Not in the sense of "calling the fire brigade," but in the sense of: "Wow, that hits home." Highlands, heavy, and wonderfully uncompromising.

Tasting Notes: This is how the Ben Nevis 2015 100 Proof Edition #48 Signatory Vintage tastes like

• Nose: dark and spicy - aromas of strong leather first reach the nose, closely followed by roasted walnuts and a hint of oak - this is intermingled with deep sherry aromas, accompanied by dark syrup and bitter chocolate - heavy, complex, and with a clear trace of maturation from the first-fill Oloroso butts
• Palate: strong attack with an oily texture - the single malt immediately reveals its character - spicy wood, tannic depth, and a sweet-tart mix of dark chocolate, walnuts, and syrup - the leather from the aroma remains present and is complemented by fine dried fruit notes - the alcohol is powerful but well integrated
• Finish: Long, warm, and spicy-dry - dark chocolate and roasted nuts linger, accompanied by a light bitterness and subtle sweetness - the finish is intense and underlines the heavy character of the Highlander - distinctive, yet harmonious