Highland 27 yo 1994 Thompson Bros 47.9%
Highland 27 yo 1994 Thompson Bros 47.9% Another unnamed Highlander. This time it seems we’ve stepped away from that little village of Brora. I find dust and ozone, and plenty … Continue reading
Clynelish 1992 / 2007 Die Abfullung #17243 58.2%
Clynelish 1992 / 2007 Die Abfullung #17243 58.2% Where did December go? As aggressive at it gets with Clynelish – Heady petrol fumes and the razor edged sharpness of acerbic … Continue reading
Highland 27 yo 1994 / 2021 Gleann Mor for Royal Mile Whiskies 50.1%
Highland 27 yo 1994 / 2021 Gleann Mor for Royal Mile Whiskies 50.1% This was represented to be from Clynelish by a well known auction house. Essentially they say they … Continue reading
Clynelish 29 yo 1965 Whyte & Whyte 52.1%
Clynelish 29 yo 1965 Whyte & Whyte 52.1% One of the unicorns. How many 60s Clynelish single casks are there? The nose floors you. Old resin and cold engine lubricants, … Continue reading
Brora 21 yo 1982 / 2003 Signatory #416 58.4% vs Clynelish 27 yo 1982 / 2009 Synch Eli Daily Dram 46%
Brora 21 yo 1982 / 2003 Signatory #416 58.4% Cold candles, dried up lime zest, plenty of dirty mineral notes like sand and gravel mixed with a teaspooon of coal … Continue reading
Clynelish 26 yo 1993 / 2020 Carn Mor #11215 52.7% vs Bowmore 17 yo 2004 /2021 SMWS 3.327 ‘Siren’s Song’ 57.1%
Clynelish 26 yo 1993 / 2020 Carn Mor #11215 52.7% Absolutely my sort of whisky. Its sharp as a blade, forged of blazing minerals, lime rind and steel, quenched in … Continue reading
Ireland 27 yo 1988 / 2015 Nectar of the Daily Drams for La Maison 49.5% vs Secret Highlands 24 yo 1996 / 2020 Batch no.7 Finest Whisky Berlin 54.8%
Ireland 27 yo 1988 / 2015 Nectar of the Daily Drams for La Maison 49.5% Part of a rather famous set of Irish done for La Maison du Whisky before … Continue reading
Clynelish 24 yo 1988 / 2013 Hepburn’s Resolution 48.8% vs Clynelish 12 yo 1989 / 2001 Gordon & Macphail #3248 57.9%
Clynelish 24 yo 1988 / 2013 Hepburn’s Resolution 48.8% An interesting Japan only bottle. Well Japan dreams of Clynelish it seems, with molten wax and hot cream slathered over bare … Continue reading
Milroy’s trio: Clynelish 23 yo 1997 / 2021 Milroy’s #12359 53.3% vs Ben Nevis 25 yo 1996 / 2021 Milroy’s #20 47.6% vs Springbank 28 yo 1992 / 2021 Milroy’s #185 50.9%
Check out our pals Friends With Drams, they’ve got good whisky. Clynelish 23 yo 1997 / 2021 Milroy’s #12359 53.3% The sort of Clynelish that’s big on oak, so we … Continue reading
Clynelish 21 yo 1997 The Malt Affair and The Auld Alliance 49.9% vs Clynelish 27 yo 1994 / 2021 Gleann Mor Rare Find for Royal Mile Whiskies 50.1%
Clynelish 21 yo 1997 The Malt Affair and The Auld Alliance 49.9% Everything in its place. Cold wax, honey, rubbed granite, drops of petrol, snapped twigs, one sooty smear, the … Continue reading
Clynelish Distiller’s Edition 1992 / 2007 Cl-Br:170-2g 46% Vs Clynelish 17 yo Managers Dram 61.8% ~ bottled 1998
So two sherried Clynelish. I’ve always preferred ex bourbon Clybelish but I keep an open mind: Clynelish Distiller’s Edition 1992 / 2007 Cl-Br:170-2g 46% Unmistakable warm wax and honey, cruising … Continue reading
Clynelish 18 yo 1997 / 2016 Homage to Caledonia #6934 50.1% vs Clynelish 21 yo 1995 / 2017 Single Malts of Scotland #10203 55.9%
Clynelish 18 yo 1997 / 2016 Homage to Caledonia #6934 50.1% A modern classic, if you will, honeyed, waxy and molten. Full of sunny hues of hay, warm butter, yellow … Continue reading
Tamnavulin Moon Import ‘Birds’ 1966 / 1988 45% vs Clynelish 27 yo 1982 / 2010 Berry Bros for Whisky-e #5890 53.4% vs Clynelish 24 yo 1989 / 2013 Adelphi #3846 53.1%
Tamnavulin Moon Import ‘Birds’ 1966 / 1988 45% Beautiful labels. This old Tamnavulin has much to say, and does so in a lilting accent of old, if you will. Copper … Continue reading
Clynelish 25 yo 1993 / 2019 Gordon & MacPhail 19/079 54.3% vs Chollet Lot 1960 bottled 2020 ‘#4 Le bon vivant’ Fin Bois Malternative 46.3%
Another two wipeouts. Clynelish 25 yo 1993 / 2019 Gordon & MacPhail 19/079 54.3% An astringent but drily aromatic grapefruit pith, combined with grass sap and some petrol. Then white … Continue reading
Clynelish 21 yo 1989 / 2010 Whisky Agency 54% vs Clynelish 20 yo 1997 / 2017 Spirit Shop Selection #6932 56.5%
Clynelish 21 yo 1989 / 2010 Whisky Agency 54% When you get Clynelish, Clynelish gets you. Here’s another luscious Clynelish bursting at the seams with softened beeswax in glowing sunshine, … Continue reading
Clynelish 21 yo 1995 / 2017 Single Malts of Scotland #10203 55.9% vs Highland Park 1981 / 2011 Scott’s Selection 48.5%
or Bottles I Finished Way Too Quickly, which tend to have a personally favoured style, and by that I mean various things … Clynelish 21 yo 1995 / 2017 … Continue reading
Clynelish 90 yo 1972 / 2002 Scotch Malt Sales 58% vs Clynelish 23 yo 1974 / 1998 Rare Malts 59.1%
Clynelish 90 yo 1972 / 2002 Scotch Malt Sales 58% So very.. Clynelish. Top notch distillery, Top notch year. Hot wax, afternoon sun on flints and gritty gravel on chalky … Continue reading
Clynelish 12 yo for Whiskyteca Edward & Edward long cap 56.9% vs Clynelish 12 yo for Whiskyteca Edward & Edward bicolour 56.9%
A lazy sunday afternoon revisit of: Clynelish 12 yo for Whiskyteca Edward & Edward long cap 56.9% As austere and phenolic as ever. Cold air, dried heather, tree moss, brittle … Continue reading
Clynelish 5 yo di Chiano 43% ~ mid 70s vs Highland New Spirit, distilled June 2008 at Clynelish Rochdale 62.8% ~ bottled 2010
Clynelish 5 yo di Chiano 43% ~ mid 70s A winning profile. Fatty ambrette seed which is a thick waxy scent with animalic touches, thin clear minerals, turpenic waxes and, … Continue reading
Clynelish 36 yo 1971 / 2007 Murray McDavid 51.5% vs Clynelish 32 yo 1974 / 2006 The Whisky Fair 58.6%
Clynelish 36 yo 1971 / 2007 Murray McDavid 51.5% Brilliant whisky. Clynelish is a standalone great. Bathe in hot wax here, lots of it, and stinging sap. Minerals and clean … Continue reading
Clynelish 20 yo 1995 Gleann Mor #11308 53.9% vs Clynelish 21 yo 1995 Signatory #11228 55.7%
Clynelish 20 yo 1995 Gleann Mor #11308 53.9% I love these Clynelishes. Classic elements of flints and minerals, paraffin wax, clean clay pots, rubbed lime, fresh cut green fruit and … Continue reading
Clynelish 26 yo 1990 / 2016 Cadenhead 45.3% vs Highland Park 28 yo 1989 / 2018 Cadenhead 48.8%
Clynelish 26 yo 1990 / 2016 Cadenhead 45.3% Everyone knows 1982 and 1995 Clynelish. 1989 and 1990 were stellar too. Warm fuzzy yellow afternoon hues of hay, honey and toast, … Continue reading
Bruichladdich 25 yo 1958 Cadenhead, Macallan 15 yo 1946 Securo, Macallan 1962, Springbank 1965 Moon Import The Birds #367, Glenfiddich 29 yo 1956 Intertrade, Clynelish 1974 Modern Masters, Caol Ila 21 yo 1968 for Intertrade, Glen moray 25 yo 1959 Samaroli, Glen Grant 21 yo 1972 Whyte & Whyte, Talisker 1979 Whyte & Whyte
Sample night! So short notes only. Bruichladdich 25 yo 1958 / 1984 Cadenhead Peated yes, but not hugely so. The sort of phenols that’s been transmuted to a secondary level. … Continue reading
Clynelish 30 yo 1970 / 2000 Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask 312 bottles 42% vs Clynelish 31 yo 1970 / 2001 Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask 186 bottles 48.4%
Clynelish 30 yo 1970 / 2000 Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask 312 bottles 42% Uncommon vintage and one of the earliest available from the new Clynelish post construction. Honey and … Continue reading
Clynelish 21 yo 1995 Signatory #8672 55.5% vs Clynelish 22 yo 1995 Signatory #8673 56.3%
Clynelish 21 yo 1995 Signatory #8672 55.5% Immediate. Rubbed wax, grated grapefruit peel, limestone, wet clay, dewy branches. liquid paraffin. A tiny bit of wet ropes, and just a touch … Continue reading
Clynelish 20 yo 1997 / 2017 Spirit Shop Selection #6927 vs Clynelish 21 yo 1995 / 2017 Elixir Distillers for Scotch Malt Sales
We need more Clynelish, and other whiskies of natural character that shine so well in less obtrusive wood. This distillery is a a personal favourite for more reasons than just … Continue reading
Brora 21 yo 1981/2003 Signatory #1422 vs Brora 24 yo 1972 Connoisseurs Choice 40%
Boxing Day Brora? Brora 21 yo 1981/2003 Signatory Un-Chillfiltered Collection #1422 46% Nose: Note this is a completely different style from early 70s Brora, this one is unpeated and much … Continue reading
Clynelish 28 yo 1965/1993 Signatory #666 50.7% vs Clynelish 23 yo 1965/1989 Cadenhead 51.7%
I’ve been itching to do 1965 Clynelish (ie old Clynelish, the one that was renamed Brora) head to head, unfortunately it is not easy to find these old ones. Ideally … Continue reading
Clynelish 30 yo 1972 Murray McDavid 46% vs Clynelish 37 yo 1972/2009 The Whisky Exchange ’80 proof’ ‘Ten Years Online’ 46%
A recent discussion: Whisky does not need to be at cask strength to be great. So true. I find it’s the quality of the distillation that matters. And the wood … Continue reading
Clynelish 22 yo 1989/2011 The Whisky Agency ‘Moody Lions’ vs Clynelish 27 yo 1982/2010 The Perfect Dram
As far as whisky goes, I am convinced Clynelish, together with it’s silent alter ego, are clearly the jewels of the Northern Highlands. Will the new Dornoch distillery – whose … Continue reading
Clynelish 12 yo Di Chiano vs Clynelish 17 1997 / 2015 Hunter Laing # HL11236
Lagavulin is my favourite distillery, but Clynelish is a hair’s breadth away. Unlike Lagavulin or some of the smaller Diageo distilleries which have a core range or else an output … Continue reading
Clynelish 24 yo 1965/1989 Cadenhead yellow label vs Brora 24 yo 1977/2001 Rare Malts
Someone told me I don’t do enough modern whisky, someone else told me I don’t do enough old whisky. It’s hard to please people! But Clynelish and Brora are such … Continue reading
Brora 3rd Edition 2004 vs Brora 22 yo 1972 Rare Malts vs Clynelish 12 yo Ainslie & Heilbron Edward & Edward
I don’t think an introduction is needed. This is Clynelish – until 1968 when it closed in favour of the new distillery, a modernized copy of the older, opened under … Continue reading
Clynelish 17 yo 1995 Signatory #12796 vs Clynelish 18 yo 1996/2015 Whiskybroker #11448 vs Clynelish 17 yo 1997/2015 Lady of the Glen #12363
Some 90s Clynelish. The vintages you commonly see are 1995, 1996 and especially 1997, so in a vertical: Clynelish 17 yo 1995/2012 Signatory #12796 ‘Ibisco Decanter’ 43% Nose: Classic! Starts with … Continue reading
Clynelish: 1982/2011 28yo Silver Seal 30th Anniversary vs 18yo 1984/2003 Silver Seal
Something of a special weekend, good and bad in parts. And so in selecting what to taste, I find myself drawn back to the 80s. This Clynelish distillery is itself … Continue reading
Clynelish 19yo 1995/2014 Liquid Library vs 17yo 1995/2013 Signatory The Whisky Exchange #12794
When I drove up to Highland Park (ferry ride in between), one of the must-stop gawking highlights along the way was Clynelish. And gawk I did. This site is holy … Continue reading
Clynelish, 1995/2010 Samaroli ‘Glen Cawdor’ cask 1469, 45%
Samaroli is an Italian independent bottler, just like Cadenhead or Signatory in the UK. ‘Italian?’ You say, ‘What do Italians have to do with bottling Scotch whisky?’ In fact there … Continue reading
Clynelish, Batch 2, That Boutique-y Whisky Company, 50.6%
‘That Boutique-y Whisky Company’ is really the name of the bottler, a cutting edge modern name too, for a relatively conservative industry. It is owned and run by Masters of … Continue reading
Clynelish 14 yo
It would still be summer in Scotland. ‘At most a light sweater or jacket’, I nodded agreeably, after all recent weather forecasts suggested as much. What would be more natural … Continue reading
Clynelish 15 yo, Adelphi 1997, cask 6521
A bit of the history behind Clynelish and Brora has been mentioned in the Brora 1981 LMDW post, so the tale does not bear retelling here. Nonetheless, Clynelish does fill … Continue reading
Brora 1981 23 yo ‘Unfiltered’ by La Maison Du Whisky cask no. 05/593
THE original Clynelish, till 1968 when an expansion next-door was completed. This new distillery became the Clynelish we know today, and the old distillery became known as Brora. Interestingly the … Continue reading
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