Ben Nevis Distillery was founded in 1825 and is one ofScotland’s oldest licensed distilleries. It was foundedby “Long John” McDonald a 6ft 4in descendant of aruler of the western Scottish kingdom of Argyll. Thedistillery is situated on the outskirts of Fort Williamand at the foot of Britain’s highest mountain, BenNevis.

Ben’s son Peter later took the reins and turned thedistillery into a significant business, by the end of the19th Century, Long John’s Dew of Ben Nevis was aseriously successful Single Malt brand. A seconddistilling unit was created as an extension to BenNevis itself and was built nearby – It was called Nevisand operated under a separate entity for 30 years. In1908 it was later absorbed by the Ben Nevisoperation.

The distillery later went on to being sold to Mitsui,partner of the Japanese whisky-makers Nikka in 1989who had been buying malt and grain from the distilleryfor several years.

Since then, Ben Nevis has continued production andhas split its whisky between bulk supplies for Japan,the Dew of Ben Nevis and Macdonalds of Glencoeblends, and single malt bottles. The new ownersrestored production of malt but not grain whisky in1990 under the name Ben Nevis Distillery Co Ltd.

Currently an unknown fact about Ben Nevis is that70% of all whisky they make is exported to Japanand is actually the vast majority of the liquid thatgoes into making nikka whisky which as we knowenjoys a huge worldwide following for its outstandingtaste and now finally with the change and retirementof the previous Ben Nevis management.

Did you know?

In 1848 Queen Victoria toured Scotland and visitedthe Ben Nevis distillery, which then prompted thedistillery to send a barrel of whisky to BuckinghamPalace for the Prince of Wales’s 21st birthday. BenNevis distillery use a variety of casks to maturewhisky like ex-bourbon American oak and ex-sherryEuropean oak casks. Ben Nevis distillery does have avisitor centre in one of their former warehouses.

• Capacity – 1.5 Million Litres Per Annum
• Malt Specification – Normally Speyside Type,low/occasionally 30-35ppm
• Mash Tun Material – Stainless Steel
• Condenser Type – Shell and tube
• Heat Source -Steam
• Washbacks -8
• Mash Tun Type – Lauter (Newmill)
• Water Source – Allt a Mhullin burn

Ben Nevis have their own brand age statements, including their 10 year old which is part of their core range. They have also released other age statements and cask strength variations. Ben Nevis casks make for great independent bottlings and are numbered.

Ben Nevi’s character tends to be strong and bold, with spicy notes and peat smoke, together with some fruit, honey and heather

A bottle of 1993 Ben Nevis retails at £395 and a 10 year old 1980’s Highland at £125.

Based on the above, If you were to hold your cask for 10 years or

even 5 years, rather than the 3, the return will be considerably more.