Clynelish 33yo 1973/2006

Clynelish 33yo 1973/2006

Vintage, Signatory
Single malt - North Highlands
Pale green gold
54.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, sandalwood, tangerines, kiwifruit, lemon zest, mint, hints of smoked bacon, hints of candle wax. With water, white grapes, kiwifruit, raisins, white pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, expands, turns airy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Sandalwood, lemon zest, tangerines, sea salt, smoked bacon, mint, ginseng, pear drops, candle wax, hints of fresh baked bread. With water, sea salt, lemon zest, candle wax. 
Finish: Long. Candle wax, smoked bacon, hints of fresh baked bread, pear drops. 

Comments: 

Butt 8914. Lots of sweet fruit, perhaps not as industrial and the previous Clynelish. But it’s also slightly smoky and meaty, with some herbal notes as well. Delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Clynelish 5yo (bottled 1960s)

Clynelish 5yo (bottled 1960s)

Ainslie & Heilbron
Single malt - North Highlands
Straw gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, lemon zest, candle wax, winter melon, tangerines, toffee, hints of lemon juice. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Bitter salty. Lemon zest, sea salt, dark chocolate, leather, candle wax, toffee, fresh baked bread, hints of sandalwood. 
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, honey, leather, smoke, candle wax. 

Comments: 

Old style Clynelish, it’s quite different from what it is now. It’s sweet and citrusy, but also bitter, chemical (in a good way) and very waxy. A very good and fat palate too. Mmmm.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Clynelish 23yo 1995/2019

Clynelish 23yo 1995/2019

Vintage, Signatory
Single malt - North Highlands
Amber red
51.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peanuts, raisins, linseed oil, candle wax, sea salt, orange peel, hints of damson jam. With water, candle wax, sea salt, roast pork, hints of pear drops. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, airy, mouth coating. 

Tasting:  Salty sweet. Raisins, candle wax, damson jam, peanuts, oak chips, pear drops, nashi pears. With water, cloves, damson jam, sandalwood, nashi pears. 
Finish: Medium. Candle wax, orange peel, raisins, nashi pears, hints of linseed oil. 

Comments: 

Another atypical sherried dram - lots of classic dirty Clynelish waxiness, augmented by sweet raisins, jam, a lot of oak. Slightly tart and salty nashi pears make an appearance. Excellent dram, as Clynelish tends to be.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 25.125 (Clynelish 25yo 1993/2018)

SMWS 25.125 (Clynelish 25yo 1993/2018)

2018, SMWS
Single malt - North Highlands 
Pale gold 
47.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cucumbers, custard apples, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, honey, candle wax, lemon sweets. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens slightly, astringent, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Candle wax, petrol exhaust, lemon sweets, nutmeg, rubber bands, honey, white grapes, hints of jasmine, hints of smoke. 
Finish: Medium. Lemon sweets, rubber bands, vanilla, honey, smoke. 

Comments: 

Rather decent Clynelish, this. It’s somewhat unusual, there’s a fair bit of smoke, as well as a savoury edge. It’s got the typical waxy lemon sweets though, as well as floral jasmine. Very nice.

Verdict:

I like this.

Clynelish 25yo 1993/2019

Clynelish 25yo 1993/2019

Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
48.6% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green apples, lemon sweets, brass polish, raisins, fresh baked bread, green tea, hints of autumn leaves. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, cool, loosens, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Leather, green tea, green apples, lemon sweets, black tea, celery salt, hints of autumn leaves. 
Finish: Long. Lemon sweets, black tea, chocolate, leather, hints of celery salt. 

Comments: 

Cask 11218. Highly complex and more than a little herbal, this isn’t classic Clynelish, although most of the major flavour notes are present. There’s a bit more smokiness than usual, and it’s a little bit savoury, but these extras make the whisky better. Lovely. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Clynelish 34yo 1972/2007

Clynelish 34yo 1972/2007

Single Malts of Scotland, Specialty Drinks
Single malt - North Highlands 
Dark gold
50.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon sweets, wax, honey, dried apricots, dried pears, fresh cut grass, papayas. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, cool, loosens, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Dried apricots, wax, lemon sweets, honey, papayas, green tea, leather, toast. 
Finish: Long. Green tea, dried apricots, leather, honey, honeydew melons. 

Comments: 

So 1970s Clynelish has peat too, just not as much as 1970s Brora. It’s also gentler, the peat is more whispery and light rather than on the tip of the tongue. The dried fruit notes are almost as glorious, and there’s a little smokiness at the end. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Clynelish 25yo 1993/2019

Clynelish 25yo 1993/2019

Connoisseur’s Choice, Gordon & Macphail
Single malt - North Highlands
Pale gold
54.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toffee, honey, lemon sweets, sea salt, mint, crispy bacon, hints of leather. With water, leather, honey, lemon sweets, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, tingly, loosens. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Honey, lemon sweets, vanilla, sea salt, leather, candied oranges, hints of smoke. With water, sweeter, mint, candied oranges, hints of smoke. 

Finish: Medium. Sea salt, candied oranges, lemon sweets, hints of smoke. 

Comments: 

Right, this is a very Brora-like Clynelish, a little bit savoury, some slight meatiness in the nose, and a lot of citrus. It’s wreathed in gentle peat, and is well aged. It’s perhaps a teensy bit sweeter than ideal, but I’m beginning to nitpick here.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Clynelish 20yo 1997/2018

Clynelish 20yo 1997/2018

Candlelight Series, Whisky Illuminati
Single malt - North Highlands 
Silver gold
55.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Bananas, plums, lemon zest, candle wax, vanilla, cream, hints of cinnamon. With water, lemon zest, honey, cucumbers, vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, hot, tingly, airy.  
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Plums, lemon zest, malted grains, green tea, sea salt, hints of candle wax. 
Finish: Short. Lemon zest, bananas, toasted coconut, green tea.  

Comments: 

Whisky from an indie bottler that I’ve never tried. It’s quite classic Clynelish, lots of lemon zest and honey, together with a gentle waxy quality. Very delicious, well aged and rare. And expensive of course, sadly. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Clynelish 26yo 1993/2020

Clynelish 26yo 1993/2020

Celebration of the Cask, Carn Mor
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
52.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Wax candles, honey, mangoes, rhubarb and custard sweets, cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, astringent, static. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Candle wax, rhubarb and custard sweets, white grapes, black tea, vanilla, honey. 
Finish: Long. Honey, lemon zest, rhubarb and custard sweets, white grapes. 

Comments: 

Cask 11215. This Clynelish is magnificent, hugely waxy yet redolent of tropical fruit. Lots of mangoes and cinnamon. No water please, this is great as is. Lovely, lovely stuff.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Clynelish Select Reserve 2015 Release (2nd Edition)

Clynelish Select Reserve 2015 Release (2nd Edition)

Official bottling 
Single malt - North Highlands
Pale gold
56.1% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, lemon juice, fresh cut grass, beeswax, hints of cream. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, loosens, slightly tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lemon zest, beeswax, seaweed, green tea, white grapes, hints of petrol exhaust. 
Finish: Long. Lemon zest, white grapes, green tea, hints of toffee apples.

Comments: 

An unusual Clynelish, it’s an official bottling but not as you might know it. There’s not a lot of waxiness, although there’s plenty of the usual lemon sweets. But there’s an underlying savoury note that’s interesting, not something that I’ve tasted before. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Clynelish 8yo 2011/2020 (Reserve Casks Parcel No 2)

Clynelish 8yo 2011/2020 (Reserve Casks Parcel No 2)

Single Malts of Scotland, Elixir Distillers
Single malt - North Highlands
Straw
48% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, white grapes, white wine, candle wax. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, warm, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Lemon zest, candle wax, straw, toast, honey, peaches. 
Finish: Long. Toast, lemon zest, peaches, white wine, hints of vanilla. 

Comments:

A ‘classic’ Clynelish, waxy and fruity, with an equally classic toasty smoke note on the tongue. It’s not quite as balanced as some of the older expressions though, the wax is rather strong, and there are some winey hints that are unusual. It’s glorious whisky though, and I enjoyed this very much.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Clynelish 21yo 1997/2018

Clynelish 21yo 1997/2018

Extra Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - North Highlands
Dark gold
54.7% ABV
Dram

Nose: Almonds, candle wax, lemon zest, fresh baked bread, hints of peaches. 
Mouthfeel: Medium, slippery, loosens slightly, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Black tea, peaches, lemon zest, honey, white grapes, hints of lime curd. 
Finish: Medium. White grapes, fresh baked bread, vanilla, ginseng. 

Comments: 

A very classic Clynelish, but with some twists. Firstly, there are hints of almond on the nose, alongside all that candle wax. Secondly, alongside the lemon zest on the tongue, there's plenty of black tea without the bitterness, just floral and herbal notes, dancing on the tip. And a rather cereally finish. I liked this, but it doesn't quite hit the heights of some other Clynelishes.

Verdict:

I like this.

Clynelish 21yo 1996/2018

Clynelish 21yo 1996/2018

Unchillfiltered, Signatory
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
52% ABV
Dram

Nose: Candle wax, lemon zest, shortbread, lemon meringue, hints of vanilla. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, astringent, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Candle wax, lemon zest, cinnamon, toast, lemon meringue, hints of fresh baked bread. 
Finish: Medium. Candle wax, orange peel, lemon meringue, shortbread. 

Comments: 

Cask 11390. I'm on a roll, this is my second classic Clynelish in as many months. I love this distillery, it makes the sort of whisky I like, complex, yet robust. This specimen has lemon meringue and shortbread, alongside the classic Clynelish waxiness.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Clynelish 21yo 1993/2015

Clynelish 21yo 1993/2015

Rare Select, Montgomerie's
Single malt - North Highlands
Dark gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, candle wax, honey, white grapes, hints of watermelon. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, static, warm. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Honey, candied lemons, magic marker, pears, fresh baked bread, hints of peach preserve. 
Finish: Medium. Black tea, peach preserve, lemon zest, honey. 

Comments: 

Cask 7559. Good old waxy Clynelish. Here though, that wariness is rather prominent on the nose, but somehow changes to magic marker and acetone on the tongue. Rather delicious, but maybe not so classic.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Clynelish 21yo Batch 7

Clynelish 21yo Batch 7

That Boutique-y Whisky Company, Master of Malt
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
47.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Toast, pineapples, papayas, honey, lemon juice, hints of oats. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, static, mouth coating, oily. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Pineapples, fresh baked bread, cinnamon, starfruit, honey. 
Finish: Medium. Honey, fresh baked bread, starfruit, hints of papayas. 

Comments: 

This Clynelish is rich and fragrant, with less 'classic' flavours, more tropical fruit, but retains that honeyed sweetness. It's funny how after 10 drams, I finally think I'm beginning to understand this distillery. I used to believe it took about 3.

Verdict:

I like this.

Clynelish 20yo 1997/2018

Clynelish 20yo 1997/2018

Artful Dodger Whisky Collective, Woolf Sung
Single malt - North Highlands
Golden
55.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, honey, ginger, candle wax, hints of cardamom, hints of brass polish. With water, toast, star fruit, orange peel.  
Mouthfeel: Medium body, oily, warm, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Toast, ginger, candle wax, lemon zest, hay, hints of cardamom. With water, guava, lemon juice, hints of roses. 
Finish: Long. Honey, brass polish, cinnamon, toast. 

Comments: 

Cask 6526. This whisky is the closest I've ever tasted to the 'perfect' Clynelish that I construct in my head, the most emblematic of the distillery's character. It's very, very good indeed. With water, it becomes more unusual, expanding into tropical fruits and citrus.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Clynelish 22yo 1995/2018

Clynelish 22yo 1995 2018

Cask Strength, Signatory
Single malt - North Highlands
Dark amber
55.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Apples, nectarines, orange peel, raisins, hints of fried eggs. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, hot, tingly, volatile. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Raisins, nectarines, chocolate, orange peel, hints of black tea. 
Finish: Long. Chocolate, coffee, black tea, apples. 

Comments: 

Cask 11230. Sherry finish, doesn't taste like a refill butt. Quite sulphurous neat, but it's 'good' sulphur somehow. I didn't like diluting it in any case. Very sweet and estery, with a bittersweet finish. Lovely stuff.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

SMWS 26.96 (Clynelish 10 yo 2003/2014)

SMWS 26.96 (Clynelish 10 yo 2003/2014)

2014, SMWS
Single malt - North Highlands
Honey 
61.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Milk, cream, apples, walnuts, honey, hints of olive oil. With water, bread, savoury, tomatoes. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, chewy, warming. 
Tasting: Sweet. Lemon zest, cream, apples, walnuts, honey, hints of olive oil. With water, more savoury, tomatoes, nuttier. 
Finish: Long. Cream, lemons, apples, pineapples, bread. 

Comments: 

Oof - somewhat young, and somewhat strong. Needed more water than the customary dribble to get it to develop. Still, an atypical Clynelish, water brings out a tartness and savouriness that suggests tomatoes and nuts. Rather interesting.


Verdict:

I like this.

Clynelish 14 yo

Clynelish 14 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - North Highlands
Amber red
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Smoke, five spice powder, pineapples, apples, honey, hints of mint.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, syrupy, quite static .
Tasting: Sweet sour. Tangerines, pineapples, apples, honey, lemons, hints of mint.
Finish: Medium. Smoke, five spice powder, honey, mint.

Comments:

Smoky and fruity. With Clynelish, I find that the smokiness has a burnt toast quality, but in this whisky, the smokiness has mellowed to something very much like roast pork. I was reminded very much of char siu pork (hence the five spice powder). The tangerine notes on the tongue make this a very appropriate Christmas whisky.

Verdict:

I like this.

SMWS 26.57 (Clynelish 24 yo 1984/2008)

SMWS 26.57 (Clynelish 24 yo 1984/2008)

2008, SMWS
Single malt - North Highlands
Bright gold
55.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon sweets, peaches, honey, orange peel, brass polish, biscuits, hints of marzipan.
Mouthfeel: Light body, turns watery, fades quickly.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Peaches, vanilla, lemon sweets, brass polish, biscuits, honey, orange peel, hints of toffee.
Finish: Medium. Peanuts, peaches, lemon sweets.

Comments:

Classic Clynelish. Chock full of delicious peach and biscuit notes, underpinned by a river of acacia honey. This is whisky that is the equivalent of any Brora out there. Clynelish rarely reaches these heights, unfortunately, but when it does, well, it's very very good indeed.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.