Clynelish Gordon & MacPhail Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky 16 Year Old · 1997 Vintage

Colour

Deep amber with a warm copper-gold glow and a touch of mahogany, echoing rich sherry-cask maturation.

Nose

Powerful, waxy and fragrant, with a coastal bouquet of lemon zest and honeyed orchard fruit, brushed by sea air. Rich sherry threads in dried fig and raisin, with dark chocolate and toffee. Cinnamon and clove spice twines around polished oak and vanilla, while a faint iodine note nods to the Highland shore. A worthy, warming nose that promises depth from cask-strength resilience.

Palate

Bold, waxy and maritime, this Clynelish coats the palate with honeyed citrus, sea salt and a subtle brine. Sherry cask influence threads through dried orange, fig and dark chocolate, mingling with toasted almonds. White pepper and oak spice rise as the 57.9% ABV warms the tongue, delivering a long finish of citrus, mineral and briny sweetness.

Finish

Long, warming finish with rich sherry sweetness. Dried fig and plum mingle with cacao and burnt sugar, drifting into vanilla and cedar oak. A coastal whisper of sea salt and brine underpins the back end as clove and nutmeg linger, leaving a velvety, chocolate-tinged glow that slowly fades.