Clynelish Blackadder Raw Cask 1989/2003

Another week, another Blackadder Raw Cask, I guess? This week an old Clynelish from 1989. Thusfar I've only tried the 14yo official bottling and I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the distinct taste of Clynelish, a very distinct taste.

The bottle: a 5cl miniature,normally they just contain some small particles from the cask, this one is downright filthy. The colour is very pale, un-chillfiltered, no colour additives and cask strength as usual.

The malt simply begs for a couple drops of water.

Nose: Very powerful but fresh nose: vanilla (not just hints of it, feels like you're actually sniffing a vanilla stick), coffee, ripe durondeau pears, coconut, mowed grass and quite a blast of smoke.

Taste: a fruit basket: apples, pears, mango, white grapes. This one needs water to come to life, cause the smoke is actually quite overwhelming. A whisky with a farmy quality to it.

Finish: long and smoky, a waxy citrus aftertaste.

Conclusion: what a refined dram: very fresh and fruity, tastes very young and lively, but still with a lot of depth. Layers of various white fruits one after another, with a powerful blast of smoke. Great distillery or great bottler? I guess both.

Find where to buy Clynelish whisky