Clynelish Distillery Exclusive Release Batch 01

On Tuesday, September 20, 2022, Manny, Dearly Beloved and I were visiting Clynelish. For me, this had to be the highlight of the trip. And fortunately it was. Although the first half hour of the tour had a slightly too high Disney feel to it, the tour itself was very good and I was over the moon that I could view the distillery up close & personal. Afterwards we were offered a tasting that included this Distillery Exclusive. And yes, it was so good that it could go home with me.

Clynelish is synonymous with waxiness for me and this malt offers that on the nose by the cartload! In addition, nice and fresh on banana pie and strawberries, orange peels and vanilla ice cream. Soft touch of honey and something that reminds me of make-up for a moment. Some lemongrass and pear syrup. This is a very nice nose!

The body is honestly a bit on the light side, but the typical waxiness and fruitiness (now especially yellow fruit and grapefruit) is definitely present. A nice pinch of pepper makes its appearance. A soft bitterness like a grape seed or sweet chestnut appears midpalate.

In the medium finish that bitterness returns, a little more pronounced now, but it is mainly that delicious touch of beeswax that makes this a beautiful finale. A salty touch on the deathbed.

I heard through the grapevine that cask holding malt of 16 years and younger were being used. A nice vatting, if you ask me.