Ben Nevis 12 Years Old 2010 Cask #394 (Blackadder)

Bottled by Blackadder in 2023 as a 12 year old single cask release drawn from cask 394 of 2010 vintage Ben Nevis with 263 bottles distributed to the European market at high cask strength of 59.2%. Blackadder is an independent bottler founded by Robin Tucek and the late John Lamond, known for its Raw Cask range presented without chill filtration or colour adjustment.

Distilled at Ben Nevis distillery in Fort William at the foot of the highest mountain in the British Isles, founded in 1825 by John "Long John" McDonald and owned by Nikka Whisky Distilling under Asahi Group since 1989. The wash uses unpeated malted barley with soft Allt a'Mhuilinn burn water from springs on the slopes of Ben Nevis, fermented for around 48 hours with brewer's pressed yeast in eight washbacks of stainless steel and Oregon pine. Ben Nevis runs two wash and two spirit stills, the wash stills tubular with plain deep bases, the spirit stills cone shaped with deep bases, all steam heated through shell and tube condensers. The spirit was filled into a single red wine cask for 12 years of on site maturation.

Primary ester development sat alongside red wine cask chemistry. Red wine casks carry residues from extended grape skin contact, with tannins, ellagitannins from the oak, and anthocyanin pigments lending colour and grip. The result brings red berry, plum, and subtle spice, integrated with Ben Nevis's heavy, oily Western Highland character at 59.2%.