Ben Nevis 2019 6 Year Old Caoineag The Weeping Spirit The Whisky Exchange

Tasting Notes

• Traditional, collected by William Carmichael

  • Nose

    The roar of crashing waves fades away as the wailing of the Caoineag slowly rises. Through the smoke of peat fires, across the forest, her cries build. Orchards burn. Carts of oranges and limes on their way to market lay strewn across the road, fruit rolling through the rich loam into the river. In the distance, the fires of the victorious glow, their campfires surrounded by the spoils: apples bake, stolen chocolate is shared. The cries continue.

  • Palate

    The smoke lies thick on the ground, a winding bed of spiderwebs and wispy peat. The fires are burnt out, and the camps have moved on. Baked apples are discarded by ashy piles. But where are they, the victors? The Caoineag wails. There are no victors. Spice baskets are overturned, their exotic cargo of cocoa, rolled cinnamon and anise rest in the rich earth.

  • Finish

    The mists rise. Hastily discarded leather is covered with smoke, as mint leaves lie crushed underfoot. Rich, dark, chocolate-coloured earth is all that remains, as the Caoineag’s cries fade.

• Billy Abbott, The Whisky Exchange

  • Nose

    Rich and peaty smoke leads, with layers of sweet, loamy soil, fruity dark chocolate, singed orange peel and lime. Crashing waves and baked apples emerge from the smoke, followed by gentle spice, linseed and olive oil.

  • Palate

    Crisp, sweet, smoky and ashy – roasted fruit in burned-out barbecue. Apple candy and spiced baked apples are joined by aniseed balls, chocolate limes, more of the nose’s fruity dark chocolate and hints of char. Black liquorice and cinnamon notes hide at the back.

  • Finish

    Leather and dark chocolate are surrounded by wisps of dark, peaty smoke and flashes of mint and menthol.