This month’s Malt of the Month is Clynelish 14 year old.
Clynelish distillery was founded by the Marquis of Stafford in 1819 to utilise the barley grown on his surrounding farm. It has been supplying the single malt component of Johnny Walker who held a stake in the distillery since 1916, it fell silent through the depression years of 31 to 39. A new Clynelish distillery was built in 1969, with the original distillery being renamed Brora, which was closed in 1983. Since 1886 it was a highly regarded spirit and known to be the highest priced of any Scotch Whisky according to Alfred Barnard.
The distillery is situated at the very top of the Scotland in the highland region on the West Coast. Being a coastal whisky fully exposed to the tumultuous North Sea, this unpeated whisky can resemble the whiskies of Islay for their brinny characteristics and smokiness.
The name Clynelish is derived from the gaelic Cluain for green pasture, and Leas meaning enclosed garden. Clynelish is an Anglicisation of the Gaelic.
The Clynelish 14 year old single malt offers sweet floral fragrances and maritime flavours with a light, dry finish – a classic case of a coastal malt with a subtle island character.
DISTILLERS NOTES
Bottle Size : 700ml
ABV : 46% abv
Region : Scotland – Highland
Peated : No
Colour: Pale Orange suggesting a blend of American and refill sherry hogsheads.
Nose: Sea Spray, cut grass and Orange blossom.
Pallet: Creamy mouth filling flavour. Seaweed, oranges and mandarins. Smokey richness.
Finish: Bonfire, pepper, iodine and length.
