Ben Nevis 6 Years Old 2014 Càrn Mòr Strictly Limited (Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers)

Bottled by Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers in 2021 as a 6 year old release of 2014 vintage Ben Nevis with 764 bottles distributed to the European market at cask strength of 47.5%. Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers is the independent bottling arm of the Morrison family, with historic Speyside connections.

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 Madeira casks for 6 years of on site maturation.

Early stage maturation showed Madeira cask chemistry. Madeira casks carry residues from extended estufa heating and oxidative aging, with high concentrations of acetaldehyde and syringaldehyde alongside hydroxymethylfurfural from Maillard chemistry. The combination drives burnt sugar, walnut, dried orange peel, and balsamic notes, integrated with Ben Nevis's heavy, oily Western Highland character at 47.5%.