Waxy overload with three Clynelish single malts
We had a big lineup ready for this blog, and then the official new Clynelish 18 years old fell into our laps thanks to a generous gift. Thank you! This bottling was part of the Special Releases 2025 and since I had an older expression ready, I decided to make this a blog full of officially bottled Clynelish. Can you name one distillery that is more beloved these days than this one? You could wonder why that is, but the answer is simple: Clynelish always delivers on high quality. So, without further ado, we will start with the recent release and go back in time after that.
Clynelish 18 years old, Special Releases 2025, bottled at 51,5 % abv
First things first: Named “Waxen Sun”, this Clynelish matured in refill casks. But this time it is not about the casks, which seems to be a template for the Special Releases in recent years. No, this time it is also about the distillate. The labels mentions that it includes Clynelish malt coming from “cut point experiments”. Diageo itself explains it thus: ‘[…]a cut of liquid early in the distillation process, when tropical flavours are prevalent. Called the Pineapple Cut […]’
Upon Sipping: So, in search of pineapple in this rather yellowish, pale looking Clynelish! If it is there, then not on the nose, that displays a more traditional Clynelish aroma of waxes mixed with sunflower oil, aniseed and vanilla. Some spicy heat seems to evaporate from the glass as well. Not really open yet, but we will play with water later. The taste is something remarkable indeed, but still no pineapple to be found. Or maybe very faintly on the tongue, long after swallowing. Instead, the liquid seems more lightweight than usual with Clynelish, and totally drenched in wax and honey, almost to a point one could say it is over the top. I can’t remember if I ever experienced it so pure in Clynelish. On repeated sipping, I pick up a bitter note, not exactly sure where it comes from, almost hinting towards a soapy, very floral note. Here and there, it shows a very precious vulnerability that asks for caution.
With water, a more sandy, dusty note. Like walking on the green at the Brora Golf Club and some breeze from the sea carries sand from the beach. There is a dissident here, among the usual smells, and it reminds me of 1990 – 1992 vintages of Clynelish, which were undeniably difficult years for the distillery, resulting in rather dirty, window washer liquid elements, in their younger releases. So interesting to come across this variant again in a new whisky. On the tongue, more plain vanilla now, mixed with lemons and still this incredible wax stamp on the middle of the palate, all the way to the deepest nooks and crannies of the finish.
Word to the Wise: Not a brilliant whisky, but it did fascinate me, the Clynelish finally lives up to the name Special Release. Somehow, this Pineapple Cut does not seem to be able to deliver the fruit the name and technique would imply. Instead, the waxes are magnified even more than usual in a Clynelish single malt. What is not to like? Well, perhaps a little bit more balance would have been nice. As it stands, this is a Clynelish for professors!
Score: 86 points.
Clynelish 10 years old, Special Releases 2023, bottled at 57,5 % abv
First things first: Named “Jazz Crescendo”, this Clynelish matured for 10 years in first fill bourbon American oak casks.
Upon Sipping: I remember this bottle catching a lot of rage for an insane RRP. I also remember buying it on auction for almost half of that, making me very happy. What also makes me happy is the pretty straightforward, satisfying nose on this expression. Fruitier than the Pineapple Clynelish above, oh irony, but I think we can attribute that to the first-fill casks. More vanilla between the waxy character, but definitely old-school and quintessential Clynelish. I expected a more difficult drinking experience at this strength, but the arrival is actually quite soft and sweetened. Only after a few seconds, the high abv starts to take its toll. But clean, pristine Clynelish is a joy, no discussion about that. With water, more sweets and candy, like lemon pastilles. Quite satisfying. The palate suffers a little though, because the water releases a bitterish wood note. With a new sip, it returns to the waxiness we know and love. Some lemons creep in again, and the vanilla keeps putting a big stamp on this.
Word to the Wise: A very decent offering, at an unforgivable price of course, unless you can find it under 100 euro/pound. This Clynelish 10 years old actually shows an interesting insight into the path towards the (brilliant) regular 14 years old.
Score: 86 points.
Clynelish 12 years old, Friends of the Classic Malts, bottled at 46 % abv
First things first: A modest bottled in the company of the previous two perhaps, but this was bottled in May 2009 and at 12 years old, that should put the youngest vintage at 1997, which is a famous year for Clynelish. My reason for buying multiple bottles anyway, back in the day. This Clynelish matured in European oak, in contrast to the previous samples. Bottled for the Friends of the Classic Malts. Do such bottles still exist?
Upon Sipping: It is good to be a friend! A very classic sherry nose, that works wonders with the waxy Clynelish spirit. Raisins, sweet Caribbean rum, sugar cane, wet wood in the forest on a Scottish autumn day. A whiff of smoke, perhaps from the wood? Such effortless quality, just on the nose. After the two hard hitting high abv expressions we tasted before, this palate is a bit more modest, but it comes alive with vengeance if you keep it on the tongue long enough. The fruity, raisin like taste offers something extra on top of the vanilla induced samples we tried before. I like this more mellow style, that is achieved through great batch vatting and good casks. The finish lacks some punch but the taste is very pronounced. This is a future classic, and the future is now.
Word to the Wise: Simple, straightforward, European oak based Clynelish. This will always fly under the radar, but take it from me, you should hunt this bottle down. It is a classic.
Score: 87 points.