Review by: Whiskery Turnip

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Distillery: Clynelish.

Bottler: Signatory Vintage.

Region: Scotland/Highland Single Malt.

ABV: 43%.

Age: 17 Years. Distilled on 27 May 1998. Bottled on 27 July 2015.

Cask type: Hogshead.

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Nose: Citrusy and a touch waxy, hints of cream and salt, tropical fruits and shortbread, pine, swimming pools.

Palate: Light-bodied and austere at first, citrusy with herbal and salty undercurrents, malt pastries, peppery mineral water, paraffin candies, beaches and swimming pools.

Finish: Medium-length and citrusy with beechwood and a touch of ocean.

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Mental Image: Swimming Pools and Beach Umbrellas.

Conclusion: Pleasantly citrusy with lemon zest and waxy rinds, a bit of orange bumped in with a touch of cream and salt lingering in the background. Hints of melon and pineapple shortbread cakes developed between citrusy cream sodas, pine trees, and summer swimming pools spritzed with chlorine. Light-bodied, the flavor profile was austere with citrusy lemon and orange zest ahead of herbal and salt undercurrents.  A rosemary scone appeared from herbal and malty notions until another wave of peppery mineral water washed in paraffin candies. Beachy and summery with swimming pools and melted popsicles— it was all very mellow and relaxed. Medium-length with citrusy, beechwood, and a touch of ocean.

Mellow vibes were all around with this excellent late 90s Clynelish. I picked up a couple bottles it earlier in 2024 and wasted no time opening one up to share with friends— it did not survive the summer. It was only a shadow of the magical and wonderfully waxy Clynelish of the era— a whisky that fires the imagination of many a whisky drinker— but it never pretended to be. The flavors were well-balanced and soothing, if not a touch too austere on the palate at times. The effect was a perfect fit for a summer time pool-side whisky.

Overall, grab an inflatable raft and mellow out.

Final Score: 80.

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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.