Sansibar Ben Nevis 1996

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Distilled in 1996 and matured 20 years in an ex-Bourbon cask before bottling at 51.9%. 217 total bottles, only a dozen or two of which will have come to Canada. Andrew is a fan of this with a drop of water, not something you will often hear him suggest!

Andrew's Tasting Note

Nose: polished oak church pews, a touch of varnish which seems to burn off quickly is replaced by oatmeal cookie dough and marzipan filled French butter croissants; very floral with orange and melon.

Palate: honeyed, and waxy with firm but yielding oak; more melons and ctirus, still floral, with more polished oak and bright nutty tones; gravelly and slightly herbaceous.

Finish: long in length it is bold, coating and warming; the oak leads the charge with some citrus and floral tones.

Comment: I love 20-30 year old Ben Nevis; the distillery is certainly underappreciated; this one is a little firmer and maltier than most; I don't often add water but this one takes it very well; with a drop it is creamier, fruitier and more elegant; even the nose is softened; delightful!

700 ml