Scott’s Selection featuring 1966 the Ben Nevis 45 year old and Nancy Sinatra

The Year: 1966

The Music: Nancy Sinatra ‘These boots are made for walking.

The Whisky: Ben Nevis 1966, 45 year old

 

I continue my journey down memory lane and this week we stop by 1966. The year which brought the first cross channel Hovercraft service to Calais, The Tay Bridge opened and Harold Wilson was PM

In celebration of all things 1966 this week’s music choice is Nancy Sinatra’s these boots are made for walking. Daughter of Frank Sinatra, Nancy’s signature song in this year showed off her provocative, good natured style. ‘These boots’ popularised and made her synonymous with the go boots of the 60′s. Nancy’s other hits include ‘Jackson’, and the title song from the James Bond Movie, You only live twice’?

Of course the only possible whisky to team up with ‘These Boots’ is the beautiful Director’s Cut Ben Nevis Distilled in 1966. There is only 119 bottles drawn from a sherry hogshead cask. The whisky is an enticing deep dark colour, massively complex on the palate with lots going on, from  bursts of spices to hints of dried fruits and dates. There is also a dry oaky spiciness leading to a spice and smoke finish. The mountain is glorious to and the name Ben Nevis,  derives from beinn nèamh-bhathais, from the word nèamh meaning ‘heavens (or clouds)’ and bathais meaning ‘top of a man’s head.’ This would therefore translate literally as, ‘the mountain with its head in the clouds’ although this is sometimes also given as the more poetic, ‘mountain of heaven.’

 

So for 1966 the connection between ‘These Boots’ and Ben Nevis was an obvious one! I hope you enjoy the video and that maybe one day you can tackle this challenging mountain and reward yourself with this equally challenging dram. As we all know people who live on mountains have their own viewpoint, and I used to do some rock climbing when I was younger, but I was a little boulder back then… I know I know, don’t groan, but feel free to leave a comment!