Clynelish 14-year-old Distiller’s Edition
Today’s Whisky Wednesday dram is one of the lesser known Highland Malts.
Clynelish Distillery is located near Brora, Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland. Clynelish was built in 1819 and then a second distillery was added in 1967 when demand for blended whiskies where at a peak. The two distilleries, Clynelish A and Clynelish B, ran side-by-side until they had perfected the expression in the new facilities. Then a few years later they re-opened the original distillery as Brora Distillery, which created a peated expression for Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve when the regular supplier, Caol Ila, had to close for refurbishing. Approximately 95% of Clynelish goes into blends like Johnnie Walker.
Clynelish Distiller’s Edition is a special release by Diageo. The Master Distiller hand selected these Olosroso finished casks and the casks identities are recorded on the bottle. Here’s my take!
Bottled at 46% ABV. I don’t remember seeing it on the label but suspect it is non-chill filtered and, judging by the colour, I’d say not much or no colour added.
Nose: Candied orange peel, dried ginger root, a whiff of black licorice.
Palate: Creamy mouth coating yet spicy with more orange and ginger, honey kissed salty sea spray.
Finish: Longish, dried apricots and figs and hazelnuts.
Summary: I would Highly Recommend buying this expression. It is not the easiest whisky to come by, so if you see it, don’t pass it up!
I think I may have to grab a bottle of this! Sounds very tasty!