Two old Clynelish from independent bottlers

Clynelish 1971 35 Yo Platinum Selection, 46,5 %

We start off with an old expression from independent bottler Douglas Laing. This is from their most exclusive series at the time. The Clynelish 1971 35 YO Platinum Selection was distilled in 1971 and bottled back in 2006. There is no specification on the type of cask used. We do know that the outturn from this single cask was 246 bottles.

Nose (24/25): Dew fresh apples on the tree, rich orchard, sun just breaking through the clouds, a wonderful summer day dawning. A lot more green associations as well; this orchard holds thyme and other fresh herbs. The grass was cut as recently as the previous afternoon. Delightful and light sweetness; vanilla, powdered sugar and honey. The characteristic waxiness is here, but only faint traces. After a few minutes I pick up strawberries covered with rich cream.

Taste (21/25): Rich and full. Creamy and waxy mouthfeel. Honey, fresh apples, and white pepper.

Finish (21/25): Warm and lingering. Apples, ginger, honey and a pinch of white pepper. A bit oaky and thin on the finish. Slightly metallic towards the end.

Balance (21/25): A nose to remember, but to taste it has maybe been kept in the cask for a couple of years too long.

Score (87/100)

Image from The Whisky Exchange.

Clynelish 1984 27 YO Exclusive - for JIS, 53,6 %

This is a rather special bottle. It was bottled by independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail for Japan Import System (JIS). It was distilled in 1984, matured in a refill sherry hogshead (cask #3098), and then bottled on July 11, 2011. The total outturn from this cask was 222 bottles.

We found this bottle in a small whisky shop in downtown Sapporo, japan, during our 2014 summer vacation.

Nose (23/25): Apples - waxy apples, apple peel, and refined sherry notes. Dust and mild oakiness. Oranges and mandarins. Quite fresh.

Taste (23/25): Very warm and cozy. Rich and waxy. Lots of honey. Lots of fruit - apples, oranges and darker sherried notes.

Finish (21/25): Coats my mouth and throat in the most exquisite honey and caramel mix. Herbal and green. Slightly oaky and metallic right at the end, just as the previous one. Strange. Then, as you think there is nothing more happening here there is a final touch of grapefruit. Great fun!

Balance (22/25): A lovely dram. 'Nuff said!

Score (89/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas