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Clynelish 14 Year Old

Seaweed versus fruit

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@markjedi1Review by @markjedi1

29th Jul 2010

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Clynelish 14 Year Old
  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    84

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The Clynelish distillery shares terrain with that other distillery, long closed and enjoying a near cult status, Brora (founded in 1819 under the name Clynelish). The current Clynelish distillery was built in 1967, right next to the ‘old’ Clynelish. Since 1968 they produced in tandem, until in August of the same year, the ‘old’ Clynelish was mothballed. Another year later, in 1969, the ‘old’ Clynelish reopened under the name Brora, and started using heavily peated malt, until it was closed permanently in 1983. The ‘new’ Clynelish is still operational. In 2002, this Clynelish 14 Year Old was released.

The nose is complex, lightly salted with dry pineapple, a smoky touch and rather flowery. The light peat is upholstered with vanilla and toffee. Lightly peppered and dry. Wonderful perfume, subtle and inviting.

On the palate, a creamy malt is being let loose on the tastebuds. I get some citrus (grapefruit?) on honey, peat and salt. Seaweed versus fruit, nicely balanced.

The finish is a nice and long extension of the palate, with the smoke and silt dominating. It ends in a bitter death.

I already tasted two sister casks from Clynelish, bottled by Malts of Scotland. They were divine. I expected the same from this official bottling. And while that expectation wasn’t exactly met, this is still a very good whisky, complex yet accessible. Definitely worth your attention.

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6 comments

@jeanluc
jeanluc commented

'The light peat is upholstered with vanilla and toffee' - mouth watering!

Nice review @markjedi1

14 years ago 0

@Dougful
Dougful commented

Indeed, I'm sold. @markjedi1 to what other distilleries would you compare the Clynelish flavor profile to?

14 years ago 0

@markjedi1
markjedi1 commented

I would say it compares well to BenRiach or Glen Ord. Maybe Balvenie too. It's full-bodied - something I quite appreciate.

14 years ago 0

@drinix
drinix commented

Ach! I thinks this is gonna be my next purchase... I'm very much intrigued by this malt. Does it share any similarity with Old Pulteney 12? I love that one...

14 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

A lovely malt! Interesting and nice balance/alternation of sweet and dry, with a strong fruitiness and some floral overtones. The fruit flavour seems a little peach-like to me, similar to a more intense and concentrated version of the fruity elements of the Macallan 10 yo. To @drinix, I too very much like the Old Pulteney 12. I find the Clynelish 14 by comparison to show more sweetness, less obvious barley flavour, and a little less saltiness. What do you find?

14 years ago 0

@drinix
drinix commented

As I'm sipping a glass of this gem right now, I thought I'd revive this conversation. @Victor I think that the Clynelish 14 is a little more citrusy and seaweedy on the nose than the Old Pulteney, the latter being more on tropical fruits (banana and pineapple) and overall more sweet. On the palate I have to say I find the Clynelish more spicy while the Old Pulteney is more on malty notes and maybe a tad thicker (both are anyway quite creamy). As a side note I'd like to mention that my bottle has been now open for more than a year and is down to a little bit less than a third. Oxidation has really made wonders during this time as it has really enhanced the maritime character of this malt and enhanced its flavors. The scents that, at the opening of the bottle, were simply pungent and acidic on the nose, now have turned into beautiful seaweed, olive and orange notes. It has definitely grown on me during this time.

13 years ago 0