Clynelish – Drinking with the Major

Paid: $95 for 700ml

Distilled/Owned by: Clynelish / Gordon & Macphail

Region: Highland

55.1% ABV

Aged For: 12 Years, Distilled 2005

Mashbill: 100% malted barley

Cask Type: Refill Sherry Butt

Chill Filtered: No

Color Added: No

Color: Chestnut

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn

Nose: Dried fruits, caramel, raisins, citrus, brown sugar, fig, oak, vanilla, cinnamon, walnut

Feel: Full, slight waxiness

Taste: Pepper, oak, chocolate, almond, citrus, sherry, coffee, caramel, cherry, nutmeg

Finish: Medium warmth and long lasting, Oak, stone fruit, pepper, chocolate, sherry, orange, ginger, and vanilla

Thoughts: Only a touch of wax in this one, but a solid sherried dram for fans of that style.

Score: 84 out of 100

Clynelish 14

Price: $65 for 750ml

Distilled/Owned by: Clynelish / Diageo

Region: Highland

46% ABV

Mashbill: 100% malted barley

Aged For: 14 years

Cask Type: Ex-bourbon & ex-sherry

Chill Filtered: Yes

Color Added: Yes

Color: Light amber

Drank: Neat, in a glencairn.

Nose: Very heather and malt forward. Smoke and citrus, floral.

Mouthfeel: Light-Medium bodied, slightly waxy

Palate/Taste: Orange, honey, oak, smoke, leather, and pepper.

Finish: Medium warmth with oak, salt, citrus, pepper, candlewax and caramel.

Thoughts: Similar to Old Pulteney, but not as good in my opinion as it doesn’t have the saltwater toffee notes of the former.

Score: 74 out of 100

Drinking with the Major