SMWS code 78 is Ben Nevis, in the Highland region. It is an operating distillery, founded in 1825. Any Society bottling numbered 78.x (for example 78.1, 78.42) is a single cask from Ben Nevis.
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Under the shoulder of Britain's highest mountain at Fort William, Long John MacDonald founded Ben Nevis in 1825. Its spirit is big, characterful and, at times, wonderfully wild, a distillery with a cult all its own. Owned since 1989 by Japan's Nikka, a quiet marriage of Highland and Japanese sensibilities.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottles single casks under numeric codes rather than distillery names, so a label reading 78.403 means cask 403 from distillery 78. That distillery is Ben Nevis, in Highland. More on Ben Nevis at Wikipedia.
The 12 most recent, newest first. See all 38 →
Sep 2026In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 8 years, Ripe Fruits & Honey.
“A perfume of popcorn with a panko breadcrumb crust took us meandering into an izakaya in Tokyo to find little plates of piping hot enoki tempura and a glass of rice wine.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Aug 2026In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 8 years, Sweet & Zesty.
“The nose offered spun sugar, toffee, foamy bananas and myriad manifestations of fruit.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outMay 2026In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 13 years.
“The weight of this famous 'mountain-themed' make was on full display here, despite the cloak of oak it was clearly draped in.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outFeb 2026In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 12 years.
“HTMC (Heavy toast, medium char) are four letters that have been well represented in the Society’s cask profile since 2016.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outDec 2025In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 12 years.
“The neat nose revealed figs dipped in chocolate, soft earthy tones, warm cocoa full of marshmallows and some balancing aromas of umami liquid seasonings.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outOct 2025In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 11 years.
“Our 35cl Wham Bam! festive dram delivers all the cask-strength character you’d expect from the Society.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outAug 2025In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 10 years.
“As we sat in the carriage of an old steam train, a glass of cold-brew coffee cascaded over a glossy magazine and a leather satchel full of sultanas, cassia and chunks of…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outJun 2025In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 10 years.
“We rubbed our barbecue ribs with a black beef seasoning, along with the usual ingredients such as salt, pepper, garlic, brown sugar, onion and hot chilli.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outMay 2025In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 12 years.
“Ready to embrace your taste for adventure?…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outApr 2025In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 10 years.
“The Panellists noted modern gentleman's aftershave, crisp linen and spring-back leather gloves on the nose.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outNov 2024In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 11 years.
“One Panellist was immediately transported to the stables and tack room of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art.…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
Sold outOct 2024In short · Ben Nevis (Highland), 11 years.
“The Panel perused a variety of freshly treated aobjectsa such as newly polished leather boots, a newly varnished oak table and linseed oil applied to a newly…”Extract · full tasting notes at SMWS
See all 38 Ben Nevis bottles →
Other Highland distilleries: 6 Macduff, 11 Tomatin, 13 Dalmore, 16 Glenturret, 19 Glen Garioch, 21 Glenglassaugh, 26 Clynelish, 28 Tullibardine, 32 Edradour, 52 Old Pulteney, 55 Royal Brackla, 57 Glen Mhor · all Highland codes
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