Clynelish 13 Year Old 1995 Signatory Cask Strength Collection

This whisky spent almost (well) as much time in the bottle than is has on the sherry cask. Bottled in 2009, this is a Clynelish from 1995 – the golden period in my book – at cask strength in one of those beautiful but rather clumsy (to pour from) decanters from Signatory. Wonderful color. Mouthwatering.

Ka-boom! What a grand nose! Christmas cake in your glass. Candied fruit, honey, baklava pastry, marzipan, roasted nuts and camphor. There is even an big green note to it that I cannot quite pinpoint. Ooh, the mystery!

It should come as no surprise that the arrival is quite sturdy, considering the ABV. And yet it is quaffable – if approached with respect – without the addition of water. Very spicy on nutmeg and cloves with a black pepper in the mix. Waxy and sweet. Quinine offers a bitter touch. The fruit is still candied: peach, apricot, cherry and gooseberry. Sevilla oranges. Lemon zest. Caramel paste. I could go on.

And on top of all this, the medium long finish (why, oh why just medium long!) I get a salty edge to boot.

Well, well, Clynelish on sherry? It ain’t no punishment.

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