Clynelish – Cask Of Distinction Single Cask 35 Years 1983 No. 2566

Distillery: Clynelish
Name: 35 Years 1983 Cask Of Distinction
Volume: 70CL
ABV: 52.2%
Cask Type: Hogshead No. 2566 
Type: Single Malt
Origin: Brora. Highland. Scotland

You know you’re getting a little older when you still believe that a new 1983 should be 20 years old – and certainly not 35. It seems that this cask has been exclusively bottled by Diageo for various honourable Asian customers in different lovely countries. which sounds a bit like an oxymoron. but that’s not what’s important is it! What’s important is that this is a 1983!

Colour: gold.

Nose: maltoporn alert! Please call the Brigade immediately! It’s not spectacular whisky. it plays no tricks. it’s not doped. it’s just the most astounding combination of beeswax. orange skin. chalk. and lemon. And behind those. honeysuckle. citrons. paraffin. and a little bit of camphor. Perhaps a little coffee too. But you may ask. which kind of coffee? Well. that would be biodynamic hand-cultivated fair-trade coffee from a very small parcel of land in a well-preserved rainforest right in the middle of a tiny Bolivarian country (S.. we know this is Clynelish. right…)

With water: unimaginably fabulous. All herbs. all waxes. and all citrus fruits of the creation. Plus one marshmallow for good measure. a strawberry-flavoured one.

Mouth (neat): this. is huge. There’s rather a lot of oak I have to say. some kind of green. sharp. almost lemony oak with a coffee-ish side (same coffee as above). but the spirit speaks out too. with citrons again. waxes aplenty. a little pancake syrup… A little uncertain at this point…

With water: no. water cures it. the oak beats a retreat and gives the waxes and citrons the floor. Some fine touches of herbal oils in the background. essential oils… I’m sure this would cure some diseases.

Finish: sadly. yes. Long. tense. a little tart and bitter. but that’s pretty perfect in this context. Green pepper from the oak that. apparently. had not yet said its last word..

Comments: absolutely marvellous. but certainly not bottled too early.

SGP:471 – 92 points.