The new Dutch bottler Roger’s Whisky Company is, after his successful first release, back with a second bottling: a heavily peated Ben Nevis 2015.

And that’s something I really like because I’m a big fan of Ben Nevis. But I must admit that I was a bit sceptical at first when it came to these young releases and that has kept me from buying and/or tasting one. Not really a good reason, given the great reviews from quite a few of these youngsters and if Roger has managed to continue the quality of his first release, then I’m definitely in for a treat!

This Ben Nevis has matured in a 1st fill sherry cask for 6 years and is bottled at 58.4% ABV.

Ben Nevis 2015 tasting notes:

Nose: quite dirty this one, which is great! A nice layer of peat. Blueberries and blackberries. Leather and quite some rubber, especially after a while. Oranges and a little bit of honey. Diesel oil in the background. A faint hint of brown sugar, cinnamon and liquorice.

Taste: peat here as well. Honey and sweet raisins. A hint of rubber again. Dark chocolate. Oranges, which is followed by a bunch of spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. A touch of liquorice too.

Finish: mid-long with peat, honey, dark chocolate and raisins.

I already liked his first release, but this Ben Nevis is just as good and a bit more my style than the Caol Ila. A dirty Ben Nevis, where the peat is nicely integrated. And if I had tasted this blind, I would have guessed it older. Really great cask pick!

Sample and photo provided by Roger’s Whisky Company.