Ben Nevis

Founded by "Long John" Macdonald in 1825. Owned by various Macdonalds until bought by Seager Evans in the 1920s. Taken over by Ben Nevis Distillery (Fort William) Ltd. who installed a coffey still. Four pot stills. Sold by the Whitbread group to the Japanese company, Nikka, early in 1989.

A cask of Ben Nevis was presented to Queen Victoria on her visit to Fort William on 21 April 1848. The cask was not to be opened until the Prince of Wales reached his majority 15 years later.

From the book 'The Scottish Collection' Classic Malts by Carol P. Shaw :
Tasting notes : Ranging from pale amber to a deep, golden coulour, Ben Nevis is characterized by its fresh, slightly peaty flavour and smooth finish. Tasting rating = 3
Ben Nevis Distillery, standing at the foot of Scotland's highest mountain, is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. It was founded at Fort William by the famous local character. the 'Long' John Macdonald in 1825. (The brand name of Long John and the distillery company became separated.) After more than 100 years and three generations in the family, the distillery was sold in 1941. The subsequent addition of a patent still made the distillery one of the few that could produce both malt and grain under one roof, and it received a new lease of life in the late 1980's following its acquisition by the Nikka Whisky Distilling Co. of Japan.

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Source www.bbr.com :

 Ben Nevis Distillery, Highlands

Ben Nevis (also 'Bennevis' and 'Benevas') is located in Inverness-shire, at the foot of the highest mountain of the United Kingdom (1334 meters) by the same name. The peak does not have quite the significance of Fuji, but it is a powerful symbol of Scotland.

It was built in 1825 by 'Long John' McDonald. In 1955, the distillery came under the ownership of Joseph W. Hobbs, also proprietor of Bruichladdich, Glenesk, Glenkinchie, Glenury Royal and Lochside. Hobbs installed a Coffey Still and Ben Nevis became the first distillery to produce both malt and grain whisky.

In 1981 the Long Johns extended the capacity of the stills, withdrew the Coffey still and devoted to the production of malt whisky, but they were forced to close down 2 years later, in 1984. In 1989  it was purchased by the Japanese group The Nikka Whisky Distilling Company which re-opened it in 1991.

The Japanese influence is significant. Just like Suntory and Nikka, Ben Nevis offers a selection of single malts (most notably a 10yo and a 26yo) as well as a range of blends, including the Dew of Ben Nevis and 'Glencoe' 8yo vatted malt. As a result, a large proportion of the output is used in blends. The single malts provide good, old-fashioned, West Highland whisky.