Random Highlanders: Ben Nevis 10yo, Ardnamurchan AD/10.

I'm less sick than last week, so I'm doing some reviews. But I'm also still a bit gunky, so I'm not straying towards the more challenging side of this channel. Nope, today it's Scotch malt whisky, my reviewing equivalent of a few slow pitches over center plate. In particular it's a couple of youngish samples I had on hand from two distant corners of the Highlands, no notes, ad libitum:
- Ben Nevis 10 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (bottled circa 2021; unchillfiltered; 46% ABV), 85+/100
- Ardnamurchan AD/10.21:06 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (50/50 mix of peated and unpeated malt, 65% ex-bourbon and 35% ex-sherry, bottled Oct. 28 2021; natural color, unchillfiltered; 46.8% ABV), 85/100
- Glenglassaugh "Evolution" Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (bottled circa 2020; ex-Tennessee whisky; natural color, unchillfiltered; 50% ABV), 83+/100
Ben Nevis is always interesting and more than a bit difficult, and their (relatively) new 10 here is no different. It's not what you'd call "sessionable" but the hardcore will appreciate it. The offering from newcomers down the road Ardnamurchan is certainly a lot younger and using a good dose of peat and fresh oak as a bit of a crutch, but if you're paying attention you'll notice that it actually keeps pace with the Ben Nevis pretty well. Highland Park fans in particular are invited to take notice. The Glenglassaugh Evolution is a little more rudimentary by comparison but way better than I remember it being a few years back, and quite charming in its malt-and-muddy-grass kind of way. Solid lineup!
Question of the Video: What can you still nose and taste pretty well under crappy conditions?
Extra special thanks to my Different Spirits on Patreon ( / differentspirits ) -
Eric Amig
Kingsbury bushcraft
Rob D
Joe Devine
Steve Frazee
John Halliday
Jason Newquist
No Thanks
Matthew Ruiz
RumSquirrel
Dallas Shatel
Chris Sherman
Gordon W
Zach W

[@josephdevine8768]

Great to listen to a straightforward review of Ben Nevis, one of my favorite distilleries, and up and comers Ardnamurchan and Evolution. I had not tried Glen Ord before your review. It would fit right in with this bunch, in my opinion. Glad I got it. Thanks.

[@differentspirits4157]

Glen Ord would have an unfair advantage because I'm completely in love with that signature. But in principle, yes!! 😂

[@cascode1192]

Great summary tasting of all three malts, particularly the Ben Nevis. Interesting episode after your recent one about tasting different spirits - the familiarity with diverse flavours and aromas comes through in your notes. Cheers🥂

[@differentspirits4157]

Ha! Yes, it's a little strange to follow a video on drinking weird things with some reviews of highland malts, but that's how this worked out... 😅

[@MrPsiman]

Ben Nevis is great stuff and in my top 10 Scotch malt producers. hope you finally got a bottle of Campbeltown Lock sherried version. It's everywhere now and the prices are all over the place. I can get it for $55 here but I have seen it over $80 also here. I hope you get a bottle instead of mooching samples.

[@differentspirits4157]

Hey, mooching samples is my only way to keep the condo from being completely overrun with bottles!! 😂

[@timothymuehlfeld6975]

I enjoy all of your reviews - weird stuff and single malts. I think if you had an indy Ben Nevis it would have been game over. I do like the Ardnamurchan, but as with most of the upstarts it is over-priced. The Tobermory comparison is spot on. Why pay more for the Ardnamurchan when you can get Ledaig 10 for $10 less? I have kept Ardnamurchan in stock by opportunistically taking advantage of sales though. Glenglassaugh is one of those step children of single malts. Since they were neglected under Billy Walker, I don’t see much better treatment under Brown Forman.

[@differentspirits4157]

Thanks! Fair points all, although IB Ben Nevis is outrageously expensive these days. As for Glenglassaugh, I maintain hope because I love the eastern highland style and I hope it returns to its old glory one day...

[@timothymuehlfeld6975]

@@differentspirits4157 The only realistic hope is that Glenglassaugh is sold to someone who cares to develop it as a single malt. Knockando was mentioned in a previous post as being in a similar situation. I believe Scapa should also be added to that list. It is sad that these malts are so neglected considering the potential of the distilleries.

[@differentspirits4157]

@@timothymuehlfeld6975 I really want to do a Scapa review, except... there aren't any that look appealing. Which indicates the problem.

[@josephdevine8768]

Binny’s has two cask strength IB Ben Nevis’s priced at $79.

[@timothymuehlfeld6975]

@@josephdevine8768 I have the Duncan Taylor, what is the other one?

[@jonscr6499]

I think i got the same batch of the Ardnamurchan. It was on sale for 45 EUR. Do you think it was a good deal?

[@differentspirits4157]

Considering the new distillery tax? Yeah, that's not bad at all.