Country: Scotland
Region: Highlands (Northern)
Brand: Clynelish 1995 (KIW - Kintra Whisky)
Type: Single Malt Whisky
Age: 16 Years
ABV: 53.7 %
Date: 27/11/2013
Colour: Golden Sunlight
Nose: The Sherry is certainly present accompanied by a light Vegetative Sulphur Aroma that almost disappears with time. I also get Wax, Honey, Malt, Buttered Toast, Straw, Grass, Oak, Lemon, Vanilla, Mandarin, Marzipan, Nuts, Raisins, light Spices and a hint of Leather.The Alcohol is not yet fully integrated. I can't get very excited about this Nose. This is not my first Clynelish and so far this Distillery is not among my favourites I'm afraid.
Palate: Orange Marmalade, Grappa, Toast and Salted Butter, Sherry, Honey, Toffee, Vanilla, Pepper, Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves, Licorice, Dried Fruits and Nuts, Straw and a hint of Mustard Seeds.
Finish: Middle-Long and Waxy with Orange, Mandarin, Grapefruit, Sherry, Resin, Buttered Toast, Pepper, Cinnamon, Ginger and a pinch of Salt.
I added a bit of Water and the Sulphur disappears. I also get more Malt, Honey, Vanilla, Marzipan, Citrus Fruit and Pineapple. The Palate becomes more refined but the Finish almost disappears. On the whole, it's certainly worthwhile to add a few drops of Water. Carefully as always as you don't want to overdo it!
Rating: 83.5
Nose: 20.5 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 21
General Remarks: The Clynelish we are tasting today was distilled in December 1995 and bottled at Cask Strength by Independent Bottler Kintra Whisky (Deventer, the Netherlands) in November 2012. It matured in a Refill Sherry Butt with Cask # 2156 out of which 90 bottles were reserved for Kintra Whisky. The whisky is not chill-filtered and naturally coloured. It costs around 90 US Dollars. Availability is limited. 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.
Drinking Experience Neat: Good
Conclusion: This Clynelish is certainly not a bad Single Malt. But it's not quite my style either. The Nose is the less interesting part as far as I'm concerned. Adding a bit of Water does help cleaning it up somewhat. Lots of Grapes and Citrus on the Palate so if you like Grappa you might enjoy this Clynelish as well. The Mustard seed on the Palate is interesting. I think it's the first time I got that in a Whisky. But other than that the Clynelish 1995 KIW is not a Single Malt I will remember for the rest of my life.
Jan van den Ende November 2013
