Clynelish 36 Years Old Whisky Show: Old & Rare 2020

Billy Abbott, The Whisky Exchange

• Nose

  An oversized fresh-cut bouquet rolls out of the glass, with meadow flowers, freshly mown grass and candy sticks not far behind. Creamy and waxy notes poke out between the blooms, with vanilla custard and rose-water-infused cream. With time in the glass, biscuity notes develop – digestives and coconutty Nice.

• Palate

  Soft and rounded, with stewed lemons and milk chocolate leading. The biscuits from the nose return, with the coconut slightly shy, along with a touch of polished oak and rich damp oak. Tinned pineapple comes out from behind the oak, with pineapple cubes and dried apple rings following. Spice develops, with a hint of peppery heat balanced by menthol and aniseed balls.

• Finish

  The aniseed tingle remains, with polished oak and pineapple slowly fading.

• Comment

  The summer-meadow nose leads into a complex and exploration of Clynelish’s unique spirit and its interaction with oak. Spice, fruit and cream, all carefully balanced and well-integrated. A couple of drops of water – no more – takes the edge off the tingle, revealing even more meadow sweetness.