Adelphi Ben Nevis 5yo 2015 & Infrequent Flyers Ben Nevis 9yo

Adelphi Ben Nevis 5 Year Old 2015 (Cask #10711)

Region: Highlands

ABV: 61.3%

Price: £74

This release was distilled in 2015 and matured in a first-fill oloroso sherry butt for five years before being bottled.

Nose

We’re getting some Liquorice, dark chocolate covered strawberries, and treacle. Theres also a little smoke which is odd given this is an unpeated Ben Nevis. We’re thinking maybe this cask was filled just after a peated spirit run?

Palate

We’re instantly reminded of Robinsons Blackcurrant Cordial. There’s also cherries dipped in chocolate, and red apples. This has a very sweet long finish, but with a very noticeable alcohol bite.

Nose (with water)

Water has opened this right up we’re now also getting charcoal, butter cream frosting, honey, malt, some salt and a hint of soap powder.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate has become much more chocolatey and herbal it reminds of Benedictine Liqueur. There’s also some aniseed, and ginger. The water has removed some of the alcohol bite on the finish making it much more palatable.

Conclusion

First thing's first, definitely add a few drops of water to this as it helps immensely. There’s nothing wrong with this and if you want a sherry bomb it’ll tick that box nicely, just don’t expect anything too complex. Personally, for us it’s more an occasional dram than an every day drinker.

Score: 7/10

Infrequent Flyers Ben Nevis 9 year old Virgin oak finish (Cask #2349)

Region: Highland

ABV: 59.5%

Price: £62

We’re revisiting the Alistair Walker Whisky Company for our next review. We previously reviewed a 13yo PX cask Caol Ila from the bottler, and they’ve been on our list to try again ever since.

Nose

On the nose there’s citrus, grapefruit, lemon and lime cordial. Going back to it there’s also warm butter, golden syrup honey, strawberry starbursts, and candied pecans.

Palate

There’s spicy notes of chilli, cinnamon, turmeric, and tobacco on the palate. With a bit of air there’s also some mulled wine spices, digestive biscuits, and even more cinnamon.

Nose (with water)

With water the warm butter has melted, and there’s now heaps more golden syrup. We’re also getting hints of fresh laid tar and icing sugar in the background.

Palate (with water)

On the reduced palate the warmer/spicer notes such as cinnamon and chilli retreat. These are replaced by verbena, basil, oats, and brown caramelised sugar. Medium length finish with ginger sticking around.

Conclusion

It’s another really solid bottle from Infrequent Flyers, and it’s at a very reasonable price. This makes it an easy recommendation from us. Usually, Adelphi comes out ahead of other independent bottlers in taste tests, but not this time.

Score: 8/10

• 10 - Perfection. A whisky that we’ll remember forever.
• 9 - Amazing. We’d pay through the nose for a bottle.
• 8 - Great. Pick this up at RRP.
• 7 - Good. Happy to have a dram or two but wouldn’t buy a bottle.
• 6 - Passable. Would accept a dram, but wouldn’t seek it out.
• 5 - Poor. Would drink if it was the only option.
• 4 - Bad. Maybe it can be saved by ginger beer?
• 3 - Awful. It can't be saved by ginger beer.
• 2 - Pour it out
• 1 - We’ve never tried a whisky rated this low and hopefully never will.

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