Clynelish 20yo 1965 / 1985 Cadenhead 46%

Eye watering. A stunning whisky cut from the same cloth as the Giaconne 12s, only with less strength, less wildness but more svelte elegance. Cold air and tree moss, dried heather, brittle resins and the shine of cold granite in the rain. Sticky tree bark and dried gritty earth underfoot. Crumbly dry peat dust. Full of these little flaky waxes, crystalized peel, terpenes, soot and a very gentle mint oil. Nuanced and completely enthralling. 94 pts

The 23 yo 1965 Cadenhead 51.7% for comparison – similarities abound with these cold air and minerals, but the 23 yo conveys more phenols,.

The 1965 Signatory #666 is next in the glass and the 20 yo seems more pristine, #666 suddenly rather more earthy and dirty with coal and other industrial aspects.