Fisherman's Retreat Edition 13

I've written about @FishRetreat many times before, a restaurant in the Twine Valley at the edge of the Pennine Hills around 15 miles north of Manchester. They are also an Independent Bottler selling whiskies matured in wine casks.

Their latest release is a 4yo from @WhiskyBenNevis Distillery - let's see what it's like!

I've tried a few Editions from Fisherman's Retreat now, I wrote about how impressive the Edn 1, 4 & 6 were here, and compared the 6 to a similar Distillery Bottling here (7 here, 8 here, 9 here and 12 here).

Bottler info:

Edition 13 : Ben Nevis 2019 4yo ex-Yalumba fortified wine octave bottled at 54%

Edition 13 is here and we didn’t have to wait long for this juggernaut of a dram to come to fruition.

At only four years of age this Ben Nevis single malt whisky has matured beyond its years after being carefully nurtured in a first fill American oak, ex-Yalumba fortified wine barrel which has led to a truly remarkable transformation.

The journey from new-born spirit to bottle has taken less time than usual thanks to this casks unique size which has given a greater spirit on wood contact.

We can only describe this single malt whisky as a thing of beauty, not only pleasurable on the eye, but it will dazzle your senses and entice your taste buds with every sip.

My thoughts:

Appearance: Reddy-bronze, swirls cling as a hairline crack in the glass, take time to bead up and eventually fall as slow thin oily legs.

Nose: Forest fruit berries to start: strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, etc. There's a little musty dunnage note, belying it's 4 years of age. There's some vanilla, dark chocolate, plums and dried fruit all wrapped up in some gentle peat smoke.

Palate: Thick chewy arrival, all the berries from the nose are here along with the plums and dried fruit. There's Fruit and Nut chocolate and a lovely dry spice note of pepper and cinnamon. The ABV comes across as more than 54% but there's no sign of it's youthfulness - the Octave having done it's work. A few more sips offer some salinity, a little sweet honey and some toffee before a thin blanket of heathery peat smoke.

Finish: Lingering berry fruit, gentle smoke and dry spice.

Thoughts: A yummy dram, the Wine Octave has blanketed a lot of the Ben Nevis distillery character but there's still a little salinity, smoke and spice in this bold liquid. The wine having added berries, dark chocolate and dry spice. It's a lovely dram for a cold winter's night in front of a fire!

Many thanks to @FishRetreat for the samples.

Fisherman's Retreat will have bottles of their Edition 13 for sale on their website from Monday 27th November priced at £85. The whisky will go on pre-sale on Friday 17th November with £5 off if you use the code "EDITION13"

Fisherman's Retreat Releases:

Edn	Distillery	Year	Age	Cask	ABV
13	Ben Nevis	2019	4yo	Yalumba Octavius Red Wine	54%
12	Glasgow	2019	4yo	Sancerre & Oloroso	59.1% & 50%
11	Glenglassaugh	2012	10yo	Yalumba Fortified Muscat	54.6%
10	Arran	2013	9yo	Yalumba Octavius Red Wine	60.4% & 50%
9	Bruichladdich	2011	10yo	Yalumba Viognier White Wine	64.8% & 50%
8	Arran	2007	7yo	Yalumba Viognier White Wine	60.4% & 50%
7	Bruichladdich	2011	8yo	Yalumba Octavius Red Wine	50.4%
6.1	Bruichladdich	2007	14yo	Rivesaltes French Wine then 2 years in  Yalumba Fortified wine cask	50.4%
6	Bruichladdich	2007	12yo	Rivesaltes French Wine	50.4%
5	Port Charlotte	2008	10yo	Château Haut-Brion	54%
4	Arran	2013	5yo	Yalumba Octavius Red Wine	54%
3	Bruichladdich	2008	7yo	Ex Buffalo Trace Bourbon & Yalumba Muscat	65%
2	Arran	1997	15yo	First fill Ex-Sherry Hogshead	53.8%
1	Bruichladdich	2007	5yo	Ex Buffalo Trace Bourbon & Yalumba Muscat	59.6%