Ben Nevis 8 Years Old 2012 Pat Hock Whisky (Feingeist GmbH)

Bottled by Feingeist GmbH in 2021 as a 8 year old release of 2012 vintage Ben Nevis with 280 bottles distributed at events at cask strength of 55.9%. Feingeist is a German independent bottler based in Hamburg.

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 Tawny Port pipe for 8 years of on site maturation.

Early stage maturation showed Tawny Port pipe chemistry. Port aging in pipes brings residual tannins from Portuguese varieties like Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, alongside anthocyanin pigments and oxidative aldehydes from extended cask seasoning. The combination delivers figs, plum, cocoa, and leather. Tawny Port specifically brings extended oxidative aging chemistry with concentrated rancio aldehydes alongside the tannin and fruit profile.Integrated with Ben Nevis's heavy, oily Western Highland character at 55.9%.