Distillery
Ben Nevis
Scottish producer of single malt located at the foot of Ben Nevis (Fort William). With a history dating back to 1825, it produces whisky using mountain water and maturation in oak casks; since 1989 it has been owned by the Japanese company Nikka.
- Fort William · Highland · Scotland
- Since 1825
- 1 product
The story
Ben Nevis is a historic distillery founded in 1825; it was established by John "Long John" MacDonald and is located at the base of Ben Nevis, near Fort William. Throughout the 20th century it underwent various operational phases (including installation of a Coffey still in the 1950s and periods of suspended production). Since 1989 the ownership has belonged to Nikka Whisky Distilling. In recent years the facility has reactivated and consolidated production, also offering visits to the visitor centre opened in 1991.
Production philosophy
To enhance local resources (in particular the pure water that flows from the peaty lochans of Ben Nevis) and traditional single malt production methods, with maturation in oak casks and attention to the Highlands territory.
Territory
Fort William, Highland (Scotland). The water used comes from mountain springs and lochans located on the slopes of Ben Nevis.
Production method
Classic single malt production: milling of malted barley, mashing with mountain water, fermentation in washbacks, double distillation (wash still and spirit still) and maturation in oak casks in the distillery warehouses. Historically the distillery also used a Coffey still for continuous production in certain periods.
Distillation
Double distillation in wash still and spirit still (traditional single malt method). Historically a Coffey still was also used in some periods.
Ageing
Maturation in oak casks in the distillery's traditional warehouses located at the foot of Ben Nevis.
Characteristics
- Type
- Distillery
- City
- Fort William
- Categories
- single malt
- Highland whisky
- aged whisky
- Raw materials
- malted barley
- water
- yeast
- Casks and ageing vessels
- oak casks
- sherry cask (used in specific releases and bottlings)
- Representative products
- Ben Nevis 10 Year Old
- Ben Nevis Coire Leis
- Ben Nevis Traditional
- Whisky Ben Nevis Signatory 26 Years 1990 Sherry Cask 70° Anniversario 70cl
What makes it distinctive
- Founded in 1825, one of the historic whisky producers of the Highlands.
- Acquired by Nikka Whisky Distilling in 1989.
- Water sources: mountain water from the lochans and streams of Ben Nevis.
- Production of single malt with maturation in oak casks; visitor centre on site.