Ben Nevis Coire Leis Single Highland Malt Whisky 46%

Coire Leis is the name of the north-east corrie on Ben Nevis, the side climbers use in winter when snow has closed the rest of the mountain. The whisky is named after it, and it is considerably softer than the terrain.

The expert's description

Ben Nevis Coire Leis is a Single Highland Malt Whisky without an age statement, bottled from carefully selected casks at 46 %.

The bottling carries the subtitle Expertly Selected Casks and has no age statement, because it is assembled from casks of different ages. That gives the distillery a freer hand to hit a particular profile rather than follow the youngest cask in the mix.

The profile sits close to the ten year old from the distillery but softer and a shade sweeter. It comes in a cardboard box and belongs to the part of the range meant to be drunk rather than kept.

Tasting notes

Nose

Cream toffee and vanilla sweetness with a mild breath of wood and barley.

Palate

Ripe pear and apricot, followed by malt and sweetness. Softer than you expect from Ben Nevis, without the weight disappearing entirely.

Finish

Soft and creamy, with the cask clearly noticeable at the end.

Specifications

Name: Ben Nevis Coire Leis Expertly Selected Casks
Distillery: Ben Nevis
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Single Highland Malt Whisky
ABV: 46 %
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Coire Leis
EAN no.: 5026673000982

Flavour profile

Soft · Sweet · Fruity · Creamy · Malty

Did you know?

Coire Leis is also the name of the route rescue teams use when coming down from the summit of Ben Nevis in bad weather. Two large stone cairns mark the entrance, put there precisely to keep people away from the cliffs.

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Frequently asked questions about Ben Nevis Coire Leis

Why is there no age on the bottle?

Because it is assembled from casks of different ages. An age statement must always follow the youngest cask, and that would give a misleading picture of what is actually in the bottle.

How does it differ from Ben Nevis 10?

It is softer and a shade sweeter. The ten year old is more spiced and carries a clearer edge, where Coire Leis settles more gently with toffee and ripe fruit up front.

What does Expertly Selected Casks mean?

That the casks were chosen individually by the distillery for this particular bottling, rather than taken from a fixed rotation. It describes the selection, not a specific cask type.

Is it a good place to start with Ben Nevis?

Yes. It is milder than the rest of the range and gives a good impression of the house style without the raw edge some meet in the independent bottlings from the same distillery.

Does it come with a box?

Yes, the bottle is supplied in a cardboard box. That makes it easier to give away without having to wrap it in anything else first.

What does it pair with?

Caramel based desserts or a ripe pear with blue cheese. Pour it into a whisky glass at room temperature so the creamy notes get room.