Country: Scotland
Region: Highland - North
Brand: Clynelish 1997 (Archives Inaugural Release)
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age: 14 Years
ABV: 53.9 %
Date: 09/09/2013
Colour: Pale Straw/Light Gold
Nose: Lots of Citrus, mainly Mandarin, Orange Peel and Lemon. I also get Grassy/Herbal/Floral Tones, Straw, Malt, Oak, Vanilla, Buttered Toast, Marzipan, Bourbon, Spices and something reminiscent of Shoe Polish. Hints of Almonds and Nuts in general. The Alcohol is still a bit on the rough side.
Palate: Again Citrus and lots of Spices like Pepper, Cinnamon and Ginger. I also find Oak, Vanilla, Bourbon, Grapes, Cereals, light Licorice and some Floral tones. It reminds me of Ginger-Ale or Lemon-Tonic from time to time. The Alcohol stings somewhat.
Finish: Middle-Long, Bitter Sweet and a bit Sharp with Citrus such as Mandarin and Grapefruit, Oak, Cinnamon, Ginger and Wax
I added a bit of Water and the Nose becomes quite Malty, Floral and Mineral. On the Palate the Alcohol is toned down but the Finish gets too Waxy for my taste.
Rating: 81
Nose: 20.5 - Taste: 20 - Finish: 20 - Overall: 20.5
General Remarks: The Clynelish Distillery was opened in 1819 and rebuilt in 1896. In 1968 a new Clynelish Distillery was erected nearby and the old Distillery was renamed Brora (The Bridges River). Brora was closed in May 1983 and part of the buildings are used by Clynelish, now owned by Diageo. Archives is the relatively young own label of Independent Whisky Bottler Whiskybase from the Netherlands. The 1997 Inaugural Release was distilled in July 1997 and bottled for Whiskybase in July 2011. It matured in a Bourbon Hogshead with Cask # 4634 and 160 bottles of 700 ml were sold via Whiskybase. This Whisky is naturally coloured and not Chill-Filtered. It's not available anymore at Whiskybase but was sold at around 85 US Dollars
Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good
Conclusion: This is not my favourite style of Whisky. It's more like a Herbal Liqueur or Grappa. The Alcohol is still quite sharp and Citrus and Spices rule but in a rough and almost acid way. To my mind, Wood and Spirit are not fully in harmony. Well, can't like them all!
Jan van den Ende September 2013
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