Ben Nevis – 1966 Rare Reserve 55 Year Old Signatory Vintage (70cl, 45.3%)

This is a 55-year-old single malt from Ben Nevis, bottled by Signatory Vintage as part of its Rare Reserve range. It was distilled on 22 April 1966 and matured in three hogsheads, numbers 2456, 2457 and 2458. Andrew Symington chose the casks, and the whisky was bottled on 1 May 2021 at a natural cask strength of 45.3%, without colouring or chill-filtration. The release was filled into 99 decanters of 70cl, each individually numbered, and comes in a black box with gold detailing and a window. The nose offers ripe nectarines and light grapes, with vanilla and a little malt. On the palate, caramelised peaches meet spicy oak and vanilla cream, with an oily yet dry texture. The finish turns to old, dry oak and malt, with soft caramel.