Whereas presenting the redesigned Ben Nevis 10 Yr Previous in 2021, the distillery additionally debuted a brand new expression referred to as Coire Leis. Because the outdated model of the ten Yr Previous grew to become fairly in style in some unspecified time in the future, we assume this new NAS launch was launched to take some strain away from older shares.
The title comes from a lochan on Ben Nevis, offering water to the distillery. The black label mentions it comes from expertly chosen casks – first fill bourbon in accordance with most sources. There’s no age assertion however based mostly on the value (which isn’t removed from the ten 12 months outdated) and the casks accessible to impartial bottlers, I’d count on this whisky to be round 7-8 years of age.
Ben Nevis Coire Leis (46%, OB +/- 2021, first fill bourbon, L21)
Nostril: bare and mashy. Barley eau-de-vie with chalk and grassy notes, in addition to sourdough bread and a few plasticine. Later additionally lemon oils and a really mild waxiness. Unripe pear. Floral yoghurt and buttery biscuits.
Mouth: stuffed with barley once more, with gristy notes, porridge and a refined natural bitterness. Hints of grapefruit peels, unripe pear and ginger. A slight spirity contact as nicely. Bitter lemons, white pepper, wee oily notes.
End: good size, with extra chocolate and toasted oak.
The excellent news is that Coire Leis is unmistakably Ben Nevis. It has loads of the enjoyable(ky) notes which might be so widespread in younger indie bottlings. That mentioned, this attribute whisky can also be slightly spirity and unsexy. Not a foul core vary (Coire vary?) expression, however nonetheless removed from the magical older variations. For those who’re available in the market for a less expensive Ben Nevis, I wouldn’t ignore the MacDonald’s Celebrated Ben Nevis both. Out there from The Whisky Alternate or Grasp of Malt as an example.
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