Artist #5 by La Maison du Whisky Clynelish 1995 Aged 20 Years

Style: Sherry, Fruity and Waxy

Rating: ☆ [Recommended]

Nose:

Apricots and sultanas gleaming beautifully at the front, a soft touch of floral honey bringing out the beautiful honey wax sealed at the core. Lavender honey, peppermint and even some sandalwood notes lacing around it. Caramel drizzling on overripe tropical fruits which is simmering gently. Chili flakes giving just the right amount of heat. Quite nice.

Palate:

Beautifully weighted sherried fruits strolling in – more sultanas, assorted berries and others. Some cherry pie and liquorice as well. The sweetness transpires as the distillate emerges, earl grey, citrus drops and lemon balm, so soothing and delicious... Rosemary flower and peppermint overtone, whilst chocolate powder, oak chip and cigar box forming a nice undercurrent. A sprinkle of chili, finish with a barley tail.

Finish:

Assorted red fruits and berries, green grass notes swaying casually…. Oak stave remains firmly sealed underneath the candlewax. Comfortable tropical fruits eventually unlocks and we have a satisfying finish to it.

Thoughts:

I might have said this before, refill sherry is my favorite kind of (modern) Clynelish. With the right amount of red fruits, it complements the citrus, waxy distillery character so perfectly which can elevate the expression to another level... Why can’t we have more of these? Now, this Clynelish might be a bit tight, but the synergy between red fruits and the distillate remains strong. A clean and delicious offering.

[54.2% | Independent Bottling | 1995 Distilled | 2015 Bottled | Cask Number: 8684 | Matured in Refill Sherry Butt | 600 Bottles | Cask Strength | Non Chill Filtered | Non Coloured | *+]

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