🥃 Ben Nevis
Distillery and single malt Scotch brand in Fort William (Highland) at the foot of Ben Nevis, founded in 1825 by Long John Macdonald; owned by Nikka since 1989.
Ben Nevis is a distillery and single malt Scotch whisky brand on the outskirts of Fort William in the Highlands. “Long” John Macdonald licensed it in 1825. Since 1989 it has belonged to the Japanese company Nikka, part of Asahi Group Holdings.
History. After Long John's death in 1856 the business stayed in the Macdonald family, and in 1878 a second distillery, Nevis, was built nearby; it closed in 1908 and became a bonded warehouse. According to Whiskypedia, the Canadian businessman Joseph Hobbs bought the firm in 1941. In 1955 he installed a Coffey still, and Ben Nevis became Scotland's first distillery to make both malt and grain whisky. The still was removed in 1984 after a restoration. The distillery closed again in 1986; Nikka bought it in 1989 and reopened it in 1990.
How it is made. There are four stills: two wash stills and two spirit stills. Water comes from the Allt a Mhullin burn, and the standard malt is lightly peated. Fermentation takes place in wooden washbacks with brewer's yeast. According to Whiskypedia, capacity is 1.5 million litres of pure alcohol a year. A visitor centre opened in 1991.
Range. The 10-year-old, launched in 1996, is the core of the range. Bulk whisky from the distillery goes into the blends Dew of Ben Nevis and Macdonald's of Glencoe, and some is shipped to Japan.
Why this matters to you. Ben Nevis is a Scotch whisky even though its owner is Japanese, because Scotch rules require distillation and maturation in Scotland. The age on the label refers to the youngest whisky in the bottle; by law the strength is at least 40% ABV. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe amount of alcohol.
Facts
| Year founded | 1825, John Macdonald (Long John); Fort William, Highland |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Highland) |
| EU category | 2 — whisky (whisky/whiskey) |
| Raw material | barley malt, usually lightly peated; water from the Allt a Mhullin burn |
| Distillation method | twice, 4 stills (2 wash + 2 spirit); about 1.5 million litres of pure alcohol a year; Coffey still installed in 1955, removed in 1984 |
| Minimum maturation | at least 3 years in oak by law; the core expression is 10 years (since 1996) |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | at least 40% ABV by law |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Ben Nevis → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel, 🍷 Sherry
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Highland whisky
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Nikka, 🥃 Japanese whisky
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Ben Nevis is a Japanese whisky?
No. The distillery belongs to the Japanese Nikka, but the whisky is distilled and matured in Scotland, so it is Scotch.
Who was Long John?
John Macdonald, known as “Long” John, who licensed the distillery in 1825.
Who owns Ben Nevis?
Nikka Whisky Distilling, since 1989. Nikka is part of Asahi Group Holdings.
What is the Coffey still at Ben Nevis?
A column still for grain whisky, installed in 1955 by Joseph Hobbs. It was removed in 1984, and the distillery again makes only malt whisky.
Can you visit Ben Nevis?
According to Whiskypedia, a visitor centre was added in 1991; check opening times before you go.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🍷 Sherry — Protected wine from the Jerez de la Frontera area of Andalusia, aged in oak casks in the solera system; 14 to 22 % alcohol.
- 🌍 Western Europe — France, the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg: a mild, moist climate, pastures and hundreds of cheeses such as Roquefort, Camembert, Gouda and Cheddar.
Similar
🥃 Glengoyne · 🥃 Teaninich · 🥃 Blair Athol · 🥃 Loch Lomond Distillery · 🥃 Glen Ord · 🥃 Royal Lochnagar
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Scotch Whisky Association, Whiskypedia: Ben Nevis (1825, 'Long' John Macdonald; Fort William; Nevis distillery 1878, closed 1908; Joseph Hobbs, Coffey still 1955, removed 1984; closed 1986; Nikka 1989, reopened 1990; Asahi Group Holdings; 4 stills; Allt a Mhullin; 1.5 mlpa; wooden washbacks; 10 YO 1996; visitor centre 1991; Dew of Ben Nevis, Macdonald's of Glencoe)
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)