Description

Ben Nevis 2015 Aged 9 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky – The 100 Proof Edition #41 By Signatory Vintage (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 57.1%           Age: 9 Years Old           Country: Scotland

Cask Number(s): Edition #48
Date of Distilling: 2015
Date of Bottling: 2025
Matured In:  1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts

The Whisky

Experience the raw, “industrial” power of the Highlands with the Ben Nevis 9 Year Old 2015 (Signatory Vintage 100 Proof Edition #48). This 700ml single malt is a standout release from Signatory’s popular 100 Proof series, which celebrates high strength, high character whiskies at a price point that challenges the modern market. Distilled in 2015 and matured for nearly a decade, this expression has been aged entirely in First-Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts.

Bottled at the series’ signature 57.1% ABV, Edition #48 is a “sherry powerhouse.” While the distillery is famous for its quirky, “meaty” spirit, this bottling sees that character cloaked in a thick, dark layer of Spanish oak influence. It is a bold, uncompromising dram that captures the essence of Ben Nevis at its most decadent, delivered without chill-filtration or artificial colouring.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Deep, dark, and wonderfully tannic. You are greeted by intense notes of dark raisins and stewed plums, followed by a sophisticated layer of leather and marzipan. As it opens, the first-fill sherry wood reveals festive accents of cinnamon and caramelised nuts, with a hint of orange peel providing a bright, citrusy counterpoint to the weight of the fruit.

Palate: The arrival is powerful and “full-throttle.” It delivers a primary burst of fig jam and dark chocolate, which quickly evolves into a mid-palate of espresso and malt loaf. The texture is remarkably oily and “meaty”—a classic Ben Nevis trait—which allows the cough syrup and black pepper spices to linger on the tongue with a satisfying, “chewy” intensity.

Finish: Long, intense, and slightly gripping. The finish lingers with a final flourish of bitter cocoa and woody spices, finally tapering off with a clean, dry trail of walnut skins and a hint of tobacco.

The Distillery

Ben Nevis, founded in 1825 by the legendary “Long John” Macdonald, sits at the foot of Britain’s highest mountain. A unique factual detail: The distillery has been owned by the Japanese giant Nikka since 1989, and for decades, much of its robust spirit was shipped to Japan to provide the “backbone” for famous Japanese blends. Because official bottlings are relatively rare, independent releases like this Signatory 100 Proof have become the primary way for enthusiasts to experience the “Ben Nevis Funk”—a unique, slightly “dirty” and mechanical profile that is highly prized by connoisseurs for its old-school authenticity.

Overall Review

The Ben Nevis 9 Year Old 100 Proof Edition #48 is globally reviewed as an “astonishingly mature” whisky for its age, praised for its deep integration of sherry and spirit. Critics have lauded its “monolithic and memorable character,” marking it as a mandatory purchase for those who love high ABV “sherry bombs” that still retain a sense of place and distillery personality.