Clynelish 2013 12 Years Old Single Malt Whisky Thomson Bros 49.1%

Official Tasting Notes

Nose: A vibrant bouquet of orange blossom and zest leads into denser mandarin syrup. Beneath the fruit lies classic Clynelish “industrial” wax – copper coins, and beeswaxed antique walnut. Sweetness follows with vanilla Danish pastry, crème pâtissière, and an unusual, spicy depth of Nikka cinnamon and walnuts soaked in green ginger wine which likely comes from the French oak.

Palate: Rich and oily. Immediate hits of orange syrup, pineapple cubes, and pear Tatin. There is a deep, caramelised sweetness – burnt sugar at the limit – balanced by buttery pastry and a fine microplane of nutmeg. A savoury, herbal layer develops with fresh dill, caraway seed, and a medicinal touch of wormwood.

Finish: Lingering and evolving. It begins with thick, aged marmalade and a syrupy mouthfeel before drying out beautifully into orange bitters and toasted caraway seeds.