Clynelish Exclusive Malts 15 Year 1997 Cask Strength

Appearance: thin legs in the glass; not coating Attractive colour

Nose: bourbony presence; short bread, sweet cream, nougat; vanilla beans

Palette: a bit more bourbony presence; vanilla; thin mouth feel; cereal characteristics; decided lack of smoke or farmy-ness.

Finish: fairly hot, even with water; sharp finish; cashews; butter cream wafer; medium to long; final note of meringue.

How does this compare with the standard 14 year Clynelish? Well, it is more and less, so to speak. The 14 year has noticeable flaws but also some interesting character that this bottling lacks at present.

In all fairness, however, the bottle is just opened, so the whisky has not had a chance to breathe. I must say that although the Brora 24 Connoisseurs Edition was infinitely more intriguing, yes, this bottling of Clynelish IS in the same ball park, even if it is home plate compared with center field. I was surprised that this whisky lacks the typical farmy and slightly smoky qualities of most Broras and some of the most exotic bottlings of Clynelish. I do not regret buying this Exclusive Malts bottle. I feel that it will settle into some very pleasant characteristics given time.

The design of the physical bottle has a pleasing metallic crest on it, with a very narrow neck, a swat shape and an all-plastic cork. Cask Strength Natural Colour is also in a faux metal at the bottom of the facia. Interesting design. The cork was half up when I opened the bottle and the bottle was filled with whisky very high indeed, part way up the neck. The whisky was not, however, touching the plastic cork. The label has a nice craft presentation with all the facts plainly in evidence. I have never acquired an "Exclusive Malt" before.

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