Clynelish 1996/2013 Speciality Drinks ‘Masterpieces’

Bottling a series of whiskies and calling them Masterpieces is pretty gutsy. But that’s exactly what Sukhinder Singh, director of The Whisky Exchange, has done. Each year he picks one cask and appoints it masterpiece-status. Today’s Clynelish was Singh’s pick for the year 2013. Distilled in 1996, this has spent over 16 years in an ex-sherry butt.

Clynelish 1996/2013 (56,1%, Speciality Drinks ‘Masterpieces’, 351 bts.)

Nose: Pickled lemon and lime with honey and beeswax. Some nice sweet ‘n sour action going at first. But that makes room for some farmier notes of straw and wet grass. Pretty floral also.
Taste: Fairly mineral with a spicy edge. White pepper and cumin. Fruity as well with pineapple, underripe banana and green apples, followed by a touch of mint and a tiny bit of wood smoke. Lovely.
Finish: Spicy at first, then fruity. Long.

Rating: 91

A wonderful Clynelish with subtle sherry influences. Complex and with a nice spicy edge. Worthy of the title Masterpiece.

Photo: The Whisky Exchange