Clynelish 14 Year Old

A member of the Diageo range, I’d normally assume this to be caramelised and chill-filtered, but this definitely develops a distinct haze when water is added, and is pleasingly bottled at 46% - maybe there is hope for the world?

Nose - Fragrant, intense and firm. Slightly floral and sweet, with lilies, roses, icing sugar, Turkish delights, white wine, champagne, grapes, some lemon, snuffed candles, brine, with a hint of vanilla pods, and then becomes slightly herbal over time, with hints of thyme.

Taste - Thick, oily, firm and tongue coating. Gentle arrival, creamy, waxy flavour first up with some sweetness of white grapes, Turkish delights and meringue, quickly subsiding into savoury candle wax, olive and sesame oil. Becomes spicy in the development with wholegrain mustard, watercress, hint of horseradish, sea salt, green peppercorns and a herbal flavour of thyme and sage, and a hint of tomato plants. Aside from the initial sweet arrival this is not at all what the nose suggested, but tasty all the same.

Finish - Savoury and drying with salt, ground pepper and ginger, a gentle oakiness, rich tea biscuits, digestives, dry roast peanuts. Later a return of the herbal flavours of thyme and sage.

A delicious whisky, the most savoury whisky I’ve come across so far, with lots of green, dry herbal flavours on the palate and finish.

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