Celtic Connection - Ben Nevis Highlands 1996

Celtic Connexion

The founding collection of Celtic Whisky Distillerie

Long before creating its own Breton whiskies, Celtic Whisky Distillerie was already writing its history with some of the greatest Scottish single malts. Distilled in 1996 and then patiently aged on the Brittany coast, these rare bottlings are reborn today as part of the Celtic Connexion collection.

Even before the first distillates from Celtic Whisky Distillerie, Jean Donnay traveled through Scotland in search of exceptional casks.
His intuition was simple: the Breton maritime climate could offer a second life to great Scottish single malts.
The casks were selected directly from iconic distilleries, transported to Brittany, and then aged for many years in the distillery's cellars, cradled by sea spray, tides, and the changing seasons.
That is how Celtic Connexion was born—the house's first historical activity and the foundation of Celtic Whisky Distillerie's identity.

Production method:

Distilled in 1996, this single malt was first aged in an ex-Bourbon cask before continuing its maturation in a former Coteaux du Layon cask, in the heart of the Celtic Whisky Distillerie cellars.

After 30 years of maturation, it reveals a rich, indulgent, and remarkably balanced profile.

Sold in its oak presentation box, this limited edition consists of 113 numbered bottles.

• Distillery: Ben Nevis, Highlands, Scotland
• Casked: November 8, 1996, ex-bourbon cask
• Double maturation: starting September 23, 2011, in a cask that contained Coteaux du Layon
• Age statement: 30 years
  
• Aging: Breton cellars of Celtic Whisky Distillerie
• Bottling: non-chill filtered, no caramel coloring

Tasting notes:

Appearance. Deep old gold with strong amber highlights.

Nose. Fruity and indulgent, with notes of candied peach, apricot, prune, and walnut, accompanied by honey, vanilla, and a slight brioche note, with a waxy and woody touch.

Palate. Lively attack, evolving into candied yellow fruits, caramel, brioche, and sweet spices.

Finish. Long and elegant, with honey and dried fruits, featuring a beautiful iodized freshness and a fine woody touch.