Ben Nevis 9 Year Old 2013 SMWS Single Cask 78.64 Mesmerising Allure Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (2022) 70cl

The nose promised rum and raisin ice cream, salted caramel, chocolate halva, syrup-drenched torrijas and cherry pipe tobacco – mesmerising and alluring. Intense dark sweetness flooded our mouths with custard tarts, dark chilli chocolate, orange marmalade, syrup of figs, dried dates and pomegranate molasses; the finish found charred oak, cardamom and cumin. On the reduced nose we identified muscovado in porridge, burnt jam tarts, dried fruit and nut mix, palo cortado and stables. Now the palate had candied orange peel, gingerbread, crème brûlée and an aftertaste of leather and cheroots. After four years in bourbon wood, this was transferred into a second fill oloroso butt.