Introduction It’s always interesting tasting small-batch bottlings side by side, especially when they come from distilleries known for such different profiles. I recently sat down with two single malts released by Whisky Dreamers: a Ben Nevis distilled in 1996 and a Bowmore distilled in 2002. I went in without expectations—just some quiet time, a clean palate, and a notepad. What I found was a pair of whiskies that told very different stories. Nose Starting with the Ben Nevis 1996, the aromas came across as strangely dry—almost as if the expected richness had evaporated. There's a dusty malty character, a bit of linseed oil, and hints of dried apple and barley sugar poking through. A citrus element—somewhere between lemon rind and underripe orange—tries to lift it, but there’s a muted edge to the whole thing that made me double-check my glass. Switching to the Bowmore 2002, the nose was immediately more engaging. Classic Islay influence is present, with sweet peat smoke that leans more towards soot than medicinal. There’s coal dust, grilled pineapple, and a faint touch of seawater in the background. With time, fruitier notes—cooked apples and soft peach skin—begin to reveal themselves, backed by subtle herbs and a trace of vanilla. Palate On the palate, the Ben Nevis was thinner than I expected from a 24-year-old. It opens with a slightly waxy texture, some dusty oak, and a bit of biscuit sweetness, but fades quickly into something flat and vaguely bitter. There are trace notes of old wood, muted spices, and not much development along the way. It felt like the whisky was tired—a shame given the age. The Bowmore, however, had better structure. It starts with a firm wave of peat and salted almonds, followed by grilled citrus and a hint of medicinal balm. The texture isn’t exactly oily, but it has enough weight to feel satisfying. Black pepper comes in midway, followed by a honeyed malt base that carries the Islay character without drowning the fruit notes. Finish The finish on the Ben Nevis was short and somewhat dusty, leaving behind a faint tannin and a sliver of green apple peel. Nothing unpleasant, but also nothing I’d return to linger over. The Bowmore’s finish was more rewarding. Medium in length, it closed with fading smoke, a little ash, and sweet malt wrapped in a peppery warmth. It doesn’t hang around forever, but it trails off cleanly with some herbal notes and a touch of cocoa. Price and Value As limited releases, neither of these bottles comes cheap, although the Bowmore, being younger, is typically more accessible in price. Given the tasting experience, I found far more value in the Bowmore 2002—it felt more intentional and animated. The Ben Nevis 1996, while not flawed in any serious way, didn’t fully deliver for its age or likely asking price. It was hard to shake the sense that it had lost something in the cask over time. Background Ben Nevis is a Highland distillery with a loyal following, known for its somewhat rustic and old-school profile. This 1996 bottling comes from a single cask and was aged for 24 years—an age that usually brings depth, although, in this case, the results were underwhelming. On the other hand, Bowmore consistently delivers that identifiable Islay mix of smoke and sweetness. The 2002 expression came from a refill hogshead, bottled after 19 years. Both whiskies were selected by Whisky Dreamers and bottled with minimal intervention—natural colour, non-chill filtered, and cask strength. Final Notes Would I buy either of these bottles again? I wouldn’t go back for the Ben Nevis 1996. It lacked the character that I’ve come to appreciate from that distillery and felt like it had slipped past its prime. The Bowmore 2002, on the other hand, felt well-balanced and confidently aged—I’d consider another bottle if I came across it at the right price. Is the Bowmore a good pick for someone just getting into peated whisky? It could be, especially since the peat is present but not overwhelming. It leans more on soot and coastal notes than intense iodine or tar. What kind of moment does the Bowmore suit best? I’d say it fits a quiet evening—maybe after dinner when you want something to settle down with. Not flashy, but dependable. How does it compare to other Bowmore releases? It sits somewhere in the middle—less sherried than some older distillery offerings, but with more personality than the standard 12. If you enjoy refill cask drams that let the spirit speak, this is likely to appeal.