Clynelish 20 Year Old 1982 Jewels of Scotland

Can someone please explain to me how Lombard was able to bottle a 20 years old Clynelish at 63.3% ABV? I’m sure the only explanation is the fact that the spirit was filled into the cask at a much higher strength, right? I know some like to experiment that way. But this is pretty hefty, so I’ll keep water by my side. Anyway, for me this was the second encounter, for I first tried it in 2011, but never made notes. Time to rectify that.

It is fatty, but far from fruity as far as Clynelish goes. This one offers mostly grain and oat, polished leather and chewing tobacco on the nose. There is even a mild sour note in there as if from rotting oranges. I usually like that, but it does not seem to work as well here. In the background I get some mokatine that tries to put things straight. Add water and you’ll get liquid chalk in your glass.

That is all made up for on the palate. My god, what a bomb! Quinine galore, pink grapefruit, figs and dates and a truckload of pepper. Despite the hellish ABV, you can drink it without diluting. But let’s add just a splash, eh? Much more accessible now, making the nuances discoverable. White and yellow fruit, candy floss, caramel and quinine. This comes pretty close to textbook Clynelish.

The finish is long, warm, sweet and good.

It’s a bit of a one-trick-pony, but quite lovely nonetheless.

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