Signatory Vintage Clynelish 1995 Aged 23 Years The Whisky Exchange 20th Anniversary

Style: Sherried, Sweet and Spicy

Rating: ☆- [Recommended]

Nose:

Begins with a quick, sharp copper and mint breeze which is then followed by a softer honey hue at the front. Easing into red fruits, cola gummies while some brass notes brushing in from the side. Sufficient dose of sherry - cranberries, fig jam and blackcurrants combine pretty well while citrus waxiness building up steadily at the core. Apricots ringing brightly at the top, assorted dried fruits, chocolate hazelnuts, malt and digestive biscuits emerge at a lower level. Some red chilli spice towards the end.

Palate:

Spirit spice stings on the palate, as the nose has indicated, but the red fruits infused honey expands quickly this time. Sweet lemon tea, almost in syrup form, is gleaming beautifully at the core, with tiny traces of smoke elevates it very nicely. Delicate lemon zest sprinkling on a nice honeycomb texture, then in comes an active oaky layer - Dark chocolate, pine nuts, walnuts and touches of charcoal spaced in between. Malt going slightly meaty, barley, earthy asparagus and mineral notes echoing hollowly, a quick Christmas cake finish.

Finish:

Sherry remnants, candy crust, blackcurrant gummies and cinnamon dust. Sweet and calm.

Thoughts:

I was told that most Clynelish lovers prefer Bourbon casks and the consensus is too much sherry can kill the distillate. However, personally I prefer a moderately sherried Clynelish like TWE did three(?) versions ago which is the SV green label. The balance and synergy between the waxy core and sherry sweetness were simply divine. There are certainly some excellent moments with this one when the elements align, but the spirit is probably too sharp at its head and the oak begins to overwhelm and hinder the expression from the back. Still a fairly good cask to be honest, just not as magical compared to its peak in my opinion.

[55.4% | Independent Bottling | 1995 Distilled | 2019 Bottled | Refill Sherry Butt | Cask Number: 11252 | 550 Bottles | *-]

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