Clynelish Fascadale 12 Year Old

Although today Adelphi is a well-regarded bottler of single malt scotch, it was also a distillery - though that closed down in 1902. Ninety years later, the owner's great-grandson started bottling under the brand name, releasing about 50 malts per year. Unfortunately, I don't recall who provided me with this sample.

On the nose we have sweet barley sugar, heather honey, lemon tart, kumquats and a wee bit of peat. Lots of vanilla. Biscuity. A touch of mint, and a bit floral. Water harmonizes things a bit more (as if it needed that), and adds some more peat. Gentle, subtle and beautiful.

On the palate the light vanilla is very present, as is that hint of peat. Lemon curd, light honey and orange marmalade in the background. Macadamia nut. Water brightens things up and adds a bit of chili spice. Absolutely lovely.

The finish is medium length with sage, lemon pith and very light oak. This is a beautiful Clynelish (but then again, aren't they all?) Sorry I don't have more pertinent details like year of distillation or batch number (this is an old sample I had forgotten about from years ago, found today in the back of my whisky rack). But it's a fantastic, classically Highland malt.

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