BEN NEVIS 1970 Single Blend Berry Bros. & Rudd

This remarkable Ben Nevis 1970 is an ultra-rare single blend, a seldom-seen category in which both the malt whisky and grain whisky are produced at the same distillery. Distilled during an era when Ben Nevis operated both traditional pot stills and a Coffey-style column still, this expression captures a unique snapshot of the distillery’s hybrid production history. Now matured for decades, it unfolds with extraordinary depth: tropical fruits, beeswax, polished oak, honey and subtle spices interlace in a profile that is both refined and profoundly complex. With very few spirits of this style and age remaining, this vintage stands as a true historical gem.

Founded in 1825 at the foot of its namesake mountain, Ben Nevis has long been one of Scotland’s most characterful and distinctive distilleries. Under Joseph W. Hobbs, the distillery became one of the few in Scotland to operate both pot stills and a Coffey-style column still, allowing it to produce malt, grain and single blends under one roof—an uncommon practice that gives this 1970 vintage its singular identity.

The distillery experienced several closures across the late 20th century, including mothballing from the late 1970s into the 1980s, before being acquired by Nikka in 1989. Today, Ben Nevis is celebrated for its robust spirit character, often matured in rich sherry casks, though independent bottlings from ex-bourbon casks have increasingly emerged. This 1970 release reflects a vanished chapter in Ben Nevis’ production history—one that collectors and connoisseurs hold in the highest regard.