Introduction Ben Nevis has a bit of a cult following, and I’ve grown increasingly curious about their output over the last few years. So when I saw a 2013 single cask release selected by Royal Mile Whiskies, it felt like the right time to give it a go. This sort of bottling often showcases the more raw, characterful side of Ben Nevis—and I wasn’t looking for a perfectly rounded dram this time. Instead, I was after something honest and left-of-centre. Spoiler: it delivered just that. Nose On first sniff, this whisky greeted me with a slightly wild note—fermented fruit, hints of sour cherry and green apples just on the edge of ripeness. There’s a clear waxy texture in the aroma, which I always enjoy from Ben Nevis. Following that, I picked up a dusty barley character and a bit of yeasty bread dough. A few drops of water brought out more orchard fruit and light notes of tobacco leaf. It’s not an overly elegant nose, but it’s complex and keeps you engaged. Palate The arrival on the tongue is bold, oily, and faintly funky—very much in line with the nose. There's an immediate mix of tart citrus (grapefruit springs to mind), apple peel, and some herbal bitterness, almost like chamomile tea gone slightly musty. A malty richness develops mid-palate, drying things out a little, and I found an unusual mineral quality, like sucking on a piece of granite. The alcohol does make itself known, but it’s bearable. Adding water tames it slightly but doesn’t smooth over the eccentricities, which I appreciated. Not for everyone, but I found it quite compelling. Finish The finish is medium to long and very much in line with what came before. There’s a grapefruit pith bitterness that lingers, joined by some cocoa powder and a touch of salted licorice. The waxy feel from the nose comes back as a residual coating on the tongue. It's persistent, slightly drying, and doesn’t vanish quickly. Not a sweet or gentle ending, but it feels appropriate for what came before. Price and Value This bottle wasn't cheap, but for a single cask Ben Nevis chosen by an experienced retailer, I was okay with the outlay. It’s the kind of whisky that rewards attention and a bit of patience—definitely not something for casual sipping. For fans of more distinctive, unpolished whisky, there’s value here. If you're looking for smoothness or balance out the gate, this probably isn’t the dram for you. Background Ben Nevis distillery is based in Fort William, at the foot of the mountain it’s named after. It’s one of the few distilleries on the mainland producing whisky with such a bold, almost distillate-heavy house style. This particular whisky was distilled in 2013 and bottled roughly a decade later, unchillfiltered and at natural cask strength. It was an exclusive for Royal Mile Whiskies, released alongside two other single casks: one each from Blair Athol and Old Orkney (Highland Park). You can find more about the distillery’s heritage at the official Ben Nevis Distillery website. Final Notes Would I buy this again? I would, mostly because I enjoy the sort of idiosyncratic profile Ben Nevis offers—and this bottling doubles down on that. Is it suitable for newcomers to whisky? I'd say no; the profile might be too challenging unless you’ve already developed a taste for funky, coastal-style Highland malts. What kind of setting suits this whisky? It’s probably best for quiet evenings when I’m in the mood to taste rather than just drink. It’s the kind of dram that asks for time and a bit of mental space. Compared to other Highland malts from the same vintage, this definitely scores higher on personality, even if polish is lacking. That, for me, makes it more memorable.