Review by: Whiskery Turnip
Distillery: Clynelish.
Bottler: SMWS.
Region: Scotland/Highland Single Malt.
ABV: 45.9%. Cask Strength.
Age: 30 Years. Distilled on 2 April 1992. Bottled in 2022.
Cask type: 2nd Fill Bourbon Barrel.
Nose: Waxy citrus and wood resin, garden herbs and mint, citrus rind, rosebud, anise, and a fresh, crisp vegetal quality, aromatic woods.
Palate: Medium-bodied, vibrant and viscous, waxy, garden herbs and wood oils, waxy citrus, dried fruits, floral spice, stone fruits, mint and moss, crisp vegetal with a kiss of salt and more waxy citrus.
Finish: Long and gentle with waxy citrus, herbs, and a kiss of salt.
Mental Image: Skeksis Drunk on Essence.
Conclusion: After an initial gust of waxy citrus and wood resin, the aroma retreated toward mellow garden herbs and mint. Gradual crescendo toward cured orange peel, rosebud, anise, menthol, and fresh cucumber; the nose shifted from dry, fragrant spices and woods to fresh, crisp garden vegetables and herbs. Medium-bodied, viscous, and waxy on the palate with a vibrant deluge of garden herbs, stone fruit preserves, spices, vegetables, and mellow citrus. Cured lemons and wood resins spared with fragrant rose hip and wood oils. A kiss of floral spice emerged with orange rind and dried plums, two notes that grew in intensity over time with apricot jam and peach preserves. More fresh garden herbs, mint, mossy stones, and crisp cucumbers appeared toward the end as a waxy citrus and kiss of salt lingered for a long and gentle finish.
Magnificent. These very mature Clynelish from SMWS sell for a pretty penny, but nothing else is quite like this. I have had a few of them so far, and they are just so remarkably complex and well-structured that I could just as easily sit back and pick through the flavors all night if the glass would keep from emptying so fast. The whisky was delicious, and there was just no overcoming the urge to take one more sip and revel in the interplay between garden herbs, waxy citrus, and the occasional melon or tropical fruit note that dropped in.
Overall, sublime— improved each and every time I sat to taste it.
Final Score: 90.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 