I recently finished my bottle of Clynelish Distillers Edition, the 2008 version. Since I didn’t review it yet I remembered to take notes as the last drop fell out of the bottle into my Glencairn glass.

Diageo’s distillers editions are almost all the same age as the regular variety of the same distillery with a short finish in a different cask. Lagavulin uses PX sherry casks, Cragganmore uses port casks, and so on.

This one is finished in Oloroso Seco casks, which should add another layer of flavours to the already bountiful palate of regular Clynelish. Still one of my favorite entry level whiskies.

Nose:
A rather full nose with vanilla, quite some sherry influences. Smoke, heather, those big yellow plants you find in Scotland that smell like plums and sweet dried fruit. (after some Googling, that plans is called Gorse)

Taste:
A bit singed wood, with sweet and dry fruit. Malty and european oak. Not as typical for a Clynelish as I expected, but very good nonetheless. A hint of smoke and spices, and a little salty.

Finish:
A long slightly drying finish. A little bit chalky. There’s still some bourbon cask-ness to it from before the Oloroso finish.

A very good dram, and one of the best Distillers Edition I have tasted. I might have a soft spot for Clynelish and a little bias, but this one is a good dram however you put it!

Clynelish Distillers Edition, 46%, Oloroso Seco Finish, around € 50 at Master of Malt.

Nose: 7
Taste: 8
Finish: 7
Overal experience: 8
Price/quality: +2

Total: 32 points