To me Clynelish is supposed to mature in a ex-bourbon cask. It’s just what I associate with Clynelish, but every once in a while a sherried Clynelish surfaces. Today I post my tasting notes on a true Clynelish sherry bomb by Malts of Scotland, bottled for German gourmet shop Der Feinschmecker. Only eighty bottles were released, and whisky buddy Bart was able to grab one. He was gracious enough to share some with me, and I’m very glad he did!
Clynelish 1995/2014 (52,8%, MoS, bottled for Der Feinschmecker)
Nose: Classic dirty sherry with chestnuts, pinewood and burlap. Coffee, mocha and soy make an appearance. Finally a bit more sweeter with rum soaked raising, but also oranges. Lots of subtleties here, but I can’t find any Clynelish characteristics here.
Taste: Sherried and woody with exotic spices. Then forest fruits, brown sugar and chocolate with a bit of citrus and a slight salty quality.
Finish: Black pepper, bitter wood and a hint of smoke. Very long.
Rating: 90
A sherried whisky indeed. Had I tasted this whisky blind, I never would’ve guessed it to be a Clynelish. But who cares, because this whisky is absolutely gorgeous.
