Clynelish

clynelish-distillery
clynelish-14-year-old-whisky
Image courtesy of Master of Malt

History The distillery was built in 1968, adjacent to the original Clynelish distillery which was closed. Confusingly the original distillery was reopened in May 1969 and until July 1973 produced a heavily peated whisky to supply for blending; this was done to cover a shortage of Islay whisky caused by a drought on the island. The old distillery was renamed Brora Distillery and production of a peated spirit continued up until 1983. Clynelish has had a strong connection with Johnnie Walker blended whisky for many years. A large proportion of the spirit used in Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve comes from this distillery.

The Whiskyphiles tasting notes

Official Bottling
  • clynelish-14-year-old-whisky Clynelish 14 Years Old (2018) - Well balanced, deliciously waxy and mouth-coating this whisky is more about the textures and balance of elements than actual flavour. Remains a classic and a worthy addition to any shelf or collection. 85/100
  • Clynelish-DE-1992-2009 Clynelish 1992 Distillers Edition (2020) - Clynelish 1992 Distillers Edition Whisky Review: Hmm this one felt very much like a work in progress to me, perhaps not overtly influenced by the Oloroso Seco finish or perhaps 16 years of previous maturation  required slightly more rather than slightly less than 12 months finishing period? Still a classically waxy and flavourful Clynelish. 84/100
  • clynelish-1997-bottled-2011-oloroso-sherry-cask-finish-distillers-edition-whisky Clynelish 1997 Distillers Edition (2018) - Clynelish 1997 Distillers Edition whisky review: A delicious waxy and dried fruit combination in this Clynelish expression which is mouth-dryingly good. I couldn't help thinking of eating soor ploom sweeties as it has a dry acidity that sucks in your cheeks, and your mouth dry. A shame that this expression may now have been lost. 87/100
  • Clynelish-distillery-only-2017 Clynelish 2017 Distillery Exclusive (2019) - Clynelish Distillery Exclusive Bottling whisky review: From the colour and flavours present I suspect a healthy amount of refill ex-bourbon casks went into this vatting, surprisingly it really doesn't feel that youthful and could easily pass a comparison with the 14 year old. A little less waxy than I am used to from Clynelish, or perhaps it is the absence of flavours carried within it. A suspect this is a bit of Clynelish purists whisky and I am maybe under-appreciating it. Flawless but not really ticking my boxes regards flavour profile. 85/100
  • house-tyrrell-and-clynelish-reserve-game-of-thrones-single-malts-collection-whisky Clynelish Reserve House Tyrell (2019) - House Tyrell Clynelish Reserve whisky review: Plenty of classic Clynelish notes in here, just delivered a little to spirity for me. This one hugely benefits from a good sploosh of water to reveal some softer vanilla notes. Waxy and spiced but a great alternative to Clynelish's 14 Year Old standard expression. 84/100
Independent Bottling
Cadenhead
  • Clynelish-21y-Cadenhead-1992-SB Clynelish 21 Years Old 1992 Small Batch (2016) - Clynelish 21 Years Old 1992 Small Batch (51.6%, WM Cadenhead, Bourbon HHs, 792 Bottles, 2013) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Clynelish Distillery Bottling: Wm Cadenhead ABV: 51.6% Cost: £79.57 from […]
Gordon & MacPhail
  • cc_-clynelish-1989 Clynelish 28 Years Old 1989 Connoisseurs Choice (2018) - Clynelish 1989 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength whisky review: A rather old and slightly unusual Clynelish expression bottled by Gordon & MacPhail. It has a touch of that famous waxy nature and oodles of tropical fruit as you would expect from a whisky of this age. A lovely creamy mouthfeel and plenty of toffee on the palate too. A touch sour in the finish and slightly woody and herbal, perhaps slightly under-active this refill cask - still a very solid whisky and hard not to like even with its minor off-notes. 84/100
Montgomerie’s
  • clynelish-1993-rare-select-montgomeries-whisky Clynelish 18 Years Old 1993 Rare Select (2020) - Clynelish 18 Years Old 1993 Rare Select whisky review: Much deeper and sharper than the previous expression with lots of lovely zesty spices, this feels much more mature than the last one despite being younger? 87/100
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
  • Scotch Malt Whisky Society SMWS 26.96 Le Trou Normand (2014) - Clynelish 10 Years Old 2003 26.96 Le Trou Normand (61.4%, SMWs, 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel, 233 Bottles, 2014) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Clynelish distillery Bottling: Scotch Malt Whisky Society […]
Signatory
  • clynelish-14-year-old-1998-casks-2460-and-2461-signatory-whisky Clynelish 14 Years Old 1998 Vintage Collection (2016) - Clynelish 14 Years Old 1998 Signatory Vintage (43%, Signatory, HHs #2460 & 2461, 821 Bottles, 2012) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Clynelish Distillery Bottling: Signatory casks 2460 & 2461 ABV: […]
  • Clynelish-20-years-old-1995-SV Clynelish 20 Years Old 1995 Cask Strength Collection (2017) - Clynelish 20 Years Old 1995 (53.2%, Signatory, Refill Sherry Butt #8636, 626 Bottles, 2016) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Clynelish Distillery Bottling: Signatory, Cask 8636 ABV: 53.2% Cost: £77.49 What […]
That Boutique-Y Whisky Company
  • clynelish-21-year-old-that-boutiquey-whisky-company-whisky Clynelish 21 Years Old Batch 7 (2020) - Clynelish 21 Years Old Batch 7 whisky review: A touch spicy and drying, some peppery character mixed with the cinnamon spice and some sweet honey, I feel I'm picking at hairs here but for its age this seemed a little un-diverse or plain. 86/100