Part four of Ben Nevis week and we’ve increased the age statement by another year with this 1997 Montgomerie’s Ben Nevis 19 Years. Though unlike the first four this one isn’t cask strength. Though like all the Ben Nevis I’ll be reviewing this week it is non-chillfiltered and has no color additives. Bottled at 46% and being NCF and NC is the are minimum I think whisky should be delivered at; keep it as natural as possible.

In Montgomerie’s Words: 1997 Montgomerie’s Ben Nevis 19 Years

“None found” (c’mon Montgomerie’s!)

If you take a look at the IB market for whisky to track down some bottles of Ben Nevis for yourself you’ll probably notice you don’t see anything distilled between 1987 – 1990. That’s because Ben Nevis was closed at some point in 1986 and then re-opened sometime in 1991 after Nikka bought them. Though if you’re looking and you do find a 1989 distilled Ben Nevis you can be sure it’s a fake. I haven’t seen one, but this 1997 Montgomerie’s Ben Nevis 19 Years is definitely the genuine article which we’re going to dive into right… now.

1997 Montgomerie’s Ben Nevis 19 Years Info

Region: Highland, Scotland

Distiller: Ben Nevis
Bottler: Montgomerie’s
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon
Age: 19 Years
ABV: 46%

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Barrel: 186
Bottle: 67

Price: $100

1997 Montgomerie’s Ben Nevis 19 Years Review

EYE
Honey

NOSE
Tropical and orchard fruit, malty sweetness, graham, honey and slightly biscuity with a bit of spice.

PALATE
Carbon copy of the nose with tropical and orchard fruit, malty sweetness, graham, honey and slightly biscuity with a bit of spice. Though the palate has a bit of cocoa thrown in the middle.

FINISH
Medium fizzle of fruit, malt, graham and cocoa.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Well balanced, medium body and a light velvety feel.

OVERALL
1997 Montgomerie’s Ben Nevis 19 Years is tasty stuff and I’d be more than happy to come home to a bottle of this any day of the week. It’s soft, interesting, silken and delivered at the bare minimum I think all whisky should be – 46%, NCF & NC. Yes I always prefer cask strength because I like to add the water myself to explore it, but this is the proper way to treat a whisky if not being delivered at CS. Do as little to it as possible and let it speak for itself.

SCORE: 87-89/100 (B+, not consumed at home)

The post 1997 Montgomerie’s Ben Nevis 19 Years review appeared first on The Whiskey Jug.