Ben Nevis 18 Year Old Single Cask #919
70cl / 58.6%
£259.00
- Cask type: Refill Hogshead
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Scotland
- Chilfiltered: No
- Coloring: No
Tasting Notes
Green Bananas, Salted Butter, Citrus and Almonds
Citrus, Pineapples, Ginger and Pepper
Long Finish, Treacle, Lemon Zest and Ginger
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A robust 1995 vintage Ben Nevis from refill hogshead #919, bottled in 2014 at a natural 58.6% ABV.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Ben Nevis / (Independent bottler listed as UD in databases) / Scotland, Highland |
| Category | Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 18 years / 1995 / 2014 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 58.6% / 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Refill hogshead; single cask |
| Natural Colour | Typically yes for single cask; independent database flags uncoloured |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Yes (single cask, cask strength) |
| Cask Strength | Yes |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not stated by the bottler (single-cask outturn implied) |
| Intended channel | Specialist retail and auctions |
| Packaging | Standard single-cask presentation (no universal box spec confirmed) |
| Notes on discrepancies | Bottler shown as “UD” by databases; retail/auction catalogues list it simply as “Ben Nevis 18yo 1995 Single Cask #919.” |
Historical Context
Ben Nevis, founded 1825 in Fort William and owned by Nikka since 1989, is famed for dense, characterful spirit from large, squat stills (2 wash at ~25,000L, 2 spirit at ~20,000L). The mid-1990s vintages have been widely bottled as single casks by independent bottlers. Cask #919 was filled in 1995 and bottled in 2014 at 18 years, at a natural 58.6% ABV, consistent with refill hogshead maturation.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
2.1 Documented variants
-
1995 vintage, bottled 2014, 18 years, cask #919, 58.6% 70cl, refill hogshead.
-
Adjacent casks exist (e.g., #922) but are separate releases. No alternate sizes/ABVs for #919 verified.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58.6% | 70cl | UK/EU | 1995 vintage / 2014 bottling / single cask | High (age + cask strength) |
2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist
-
Bottle: Standard tall 70cl with single-cask label; ensure cask number “#919,” vintage (1995) and bottle year (2014) match.
-
Closure: Natural cork and capsule typical; verify intact seal.
-
Outer: Box not consistent across outlets; absence of box is not necessarily a red flag.
-
Codes: Some releases show small batch/bottle codes; check label print quality and paper stock.
-
Pitfalls: Misattribution to other 1995 casks; confirm ABV 58.6% and cask number on label. Avoid low-fill or heavily scuffed labels.
2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes
-
Single cask at cask strength; age and vintage clearly stated; NCF and natural colour are expected for single casks but rely on label claims where present.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
(Composite from catalogue notes and adjacent 1995 single-cask descriptors; precise bottler notes for #919 are minimal.)
-
Nose: Green banana, salted butter, citrus; underlying malt and gentle nuttiness.
-
Palate: Full-bodied; sweet malt with citrus oils and almond; firm alcohol structure from 58.6%.
-
Finish: Long, drying, citrus-malt interplay with faint mineral edge.
-
With water: Opens to softer orchard fruit and vanilla; texture rounds out.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
-
Original RRP (GBP): Not firmly documented; typical mid-2010s indie single-cask 18yo pricing would have been low three figures. Not stated by the producer.
-
Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): Rare in retail; specialist dealer listing observed around £259 (indicative ask).
-
Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): £160 (Whisky Hammer, Oct 2022). Subsequent appearances sporadic.
-
Pricing stratification: Single spec; condition and provenance drive spread; proximity to related 1995 Ben Nevis single casks can influence bidding psychology.
-
Liquidity & sourcing note: Thin supply; single-cask lots surface intermittently. Expect competitive bidding when listed.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whisky Hammer | 30 Oct 2022 | 70cl, 58.6%, #919 | £160 | Hammer |
| Glenbotal (dealer) | 2025 | 70cl, 58.6%, #919 | £259 (ask) | Availability variable |
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Ben Nevis is a 2.0m LPA-capacity Highland site drawing water from Allt a’ Mhuilinn. The still set (two wash/two spirit) and relatively short reflux profile deliver a muscular distillate well suited to refill and sherry casks alike. A significant share of output supports Nikka’s blends, increasing scarcity of certain age/vintage single malts in recent years.
Sourcing
-
Target formats/eras to prefer
Complete, clean labels with clear “Cask #919 / 58.6% / 1995–2014” data; boxed examples if available. -
Red flags to avoid
Any mismatch in cask number or ABV; low fills; relabelled bottles conflating adjacent casks (#922 etc.). -
Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels)
High shoulder fill or above; minimal label scuffing; capsule intact. -
Margin/velocity expectations — qualitative
Strong interest in 1990s single-cask Ben Nevis; expect healthy bid velocity when offered.
