Dew of Ben Nevis West Highland Railway
70cl / 40%
£79.00
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Scotland
Tasting Notes
Pear Compote, Fruits
Toffee, Bitter Cocoa, Peppermint, Pepper
Short Finish, Creme Brulee
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40% Ben Nevis house blend in a commemorative 70cl bottling celebrating the West Highland Railway/Mallaig Extension centenary.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Ben Nevis Distillery / Fort William, West Highlands, Scotland |
| Category | Blended Scotch whisky (distillery brand) |
| Edition | “West Highland Railway” / “West Highland Railway Centenary” |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | No age statement / Commemorative release (bottled 1990s–2000s depending on specific lot) |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40% ABV / 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Not stated by the producer |
| Natural Colour | Not stated by the producer |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not stated by the producer |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not stated by the producer (small commemorative run; sometimes appears in mixed Ben Nevis decanter lots) |
| Intended channel | Distillery/gift/travel and later auction/collectables |
| Packaging | Standard bottle or commemorative ceramic/decanter depending on sub-edition; label referencing West Highland Railway |
| Notes on discrepancies | Some lots contain this alongside Millennium Blend or Special Reserve ceramic decanters; all bottles in this run are 40% and 70cl, so describe the container clearly. |
Historical Context
Ben Nevis has long used its house blend, Dew of Ben Nevis, as the basis for commemorative and ceramic releases – a sensible choice for a distillery that sits beside a major tourist route and in a region rich with engineering/railway history. The “West Highland Railway” edition marks the centenary of the Mallaig Extension of the West Highland line, and auction descriptions make that explicit. As with many such releases, the liquid is the regular 40% Dew of Ben Nevis blend (which itself includes a proportion of Ben Nevis malt) but in a special container or with a special label. That makes condition and completeness more important than the spirit for collectors.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
Documented variants
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Dew of Ben Nevis “West Highland Railway Centenary”, 40%, 70cl, standard bottle.
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Dew of Ben Nevis ceramic/decanter lots including the West Highland Railway Edition, 40%, 70cl.
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Ben Nevis Special Reserve ceramic (a close cousin) is often sold in the same lot, so title/label photos must be checked.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40% | 70cl (glass) | UK/Scottish commemorative | Railway-themed label | Core, easiest to recognise |
| 40% | 70cl (ceramic/decanter) | Gift/collectors | Ceramic with Ben Nevis branding | Condition-led |
| 40% | 70cl (mixed commemorative lot) | Auction | Sold with Millennium / Special Reserve | Lot-led, slightly lower per bottle |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
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Label must mention Dew of Ben Nevis and West Highland Railway (or clear railway centenary wording).
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ABV 40% and 70cl must be visible.
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If it is a ceramic, inspect for chips, crazing, and seal condition.
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Many auction descriptions note “consumer protection laws do not apply” and that condition is not guaranteed; if reselling, state fill and seal if you can.
Regulatory/terminology notes
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This is a NAS blended Scotch.
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No cask or maturation detail should be added.
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It is a named commemorative, so keep the full name in the product title.
Liquid Profile (house style)
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Nose: Light, grain-led sweetness, a little malt, soft vanilla.
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Palate: Easy, 40% blend, with gentle toffee, a little cereal and the faintest Highland malt note.
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Finish: Short, clean, slightly sweet.
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With water: Not required.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
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Recent UK auction lots that included the West Highland Railway Edition among two or three Ben Nevis commemoratives sold in the £60–£90 range for the lot, implying £20–£30 value per bottle in mixed form.
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Single-bottle offers (where the label/theme is clear and condition is good) can be ticketed nearer £40–£55 at specialist/vintage sites because of the railway link.
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Stratification: pristine label or intact ceramic at top; mixed-lot bottles with label rubbing or capsule wear at the auction band.
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Liquidity: railway themes and Ben Nevis both have small but steady collector audiences, so the bottle moves if priced under £50.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK whisky auction (mixed lot) | 40%, 70cl, West Highland Railway + others | 60–90 for 3 bottles | c. £20–30 per bottle equivalent |
| UK vintage/specialist | 40%, 70cl, clean label | 40–55 | Railway/Ben Nevis theme premium |
Sourcing
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Target: clearly legible “West Highland Railway” label or an intact named ceramic.
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Avoid: bottles where the commemorative wording cannot be read from photos.
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Buy in mixed lots to bring the per-bottle cost down; sell individually with clear photography and condition notes.
