Clynelish 20 Year Old 1989 Taste Still for Whisky Live Spa 2010

This is already the 40th Clynelish that I have the fortune to try. Taste Still, a Belgian bottler, launhed this Clynelish for the Whisky Live Festival in Spa in 2010 – in a beautiful decanter. There is little information to be found on the bottle, but research teaches only 38 of these bottles were released. Well, I certainly want to try it, even if I am four years late.

The nose is waxy, but foremost very malty. As if I am smelling roasted malt. Some linseed oil, jute, loads of caramel and hints of a cow stable. The fruit excels in being absent. Some apple pie in the back, but you have to look for it. That does not mean this is not a good nose. Au contraire, mon ami. Atypical, maybe, but rather good. If you are patient enough to leave it for about ten minutes, you will be rewarded with wet rocks, unripe plums, toffee and the peel of oranges.

I would not have minded if it had a bit more body, but taste wise, it leaves little to be desired. Waxy, certainly, sweet and spicy. With a veritable hint of peat. Now some read fruit appears. Strawberry? Loads of oranges (almost orange juice!), red apples and a sole gooseberry. Quinine? Yep, loads of ginger and some pepper. Kumquats!

The fairly long and spicy finish ends in a bitter note from the grapefruit. A bit like biting down on a pith. A smoky element keeps it really interesting.

An enticing Clynelish that requires some time. But it is worth it. As far as I know, it can only be obtained through online shop The Bonding Dram in Belgium for around 90 EUR. That is where I got my sample from.

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