BEN NEVIS 2017 Wine Casks Orange Wine 1st Fill

Distilled in 2017, this Ben Nevis single malt was matured in orange wine casks before being bottled at 46% ABV. Part of Signatory Vintage’s Wine Cask range, this expression is conceived as a dialogue between whisky and wine, exploring how unconventional wine casks can reshape a classic Highland spirit.

Orange wine—produced by fermenting white grapes with extended skin contact—brings structure, aromatic intensity and gentle tannins. In this whisky, the cask influence adds an exotic and expressive dimension, amplifying fruit and spice while preserving Ben Nevis’ natural balance. The result is a bottling that feels both exploratory and precise, offering a compelling alternative to traditional sherry or bourbon cask maturation.

This release is a clear illustration of how thoughtful cask selection can highlight the shared craftsmanship between distillation and winemaking.

Nestled at the foot of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis Distillery stands as one of the Highlands’ most characterful producers. Founded in 1825, the distillery has built its reputation on a weighty yet elegant spirit that responds particularly well to long and expressive maturation.

Under the ownership of Joseph W. Hobbs in 1955, Ben Nevis became one of the few distilleries in Scotland to operate both traditional pot stills and a Coffey-style column still, a rare setup that underscored its innovative spirit. After being acquired by Long John Distillers in 1981, the Coffey stills were dismantled.

The distillery experienced several periods of mothballing in the late 1970s and 1980s, before being acquired by Nikka of Japan in 1989, a turning point that ensured its long-term continuity. While Ben Nevis is best known for whiskies matured primarily in ex-sherry casks, select releases—such as this wine cask expression—demonstrate the distillery’s versatility and depth.