Clynelish 1996 16 Years Single Malt Whisky

Whiskyspace Notes 2231

Jul 3, 2026, 04:30:39

Blimey, this 1997s vintage is an absolute beast 🥃 Thickish mouthfeel right off the bat, slightly meaty opening, then that Clynelish ain’t shy spirit hits with sharp spiciness and quite some ginger kick. You get bitter oranges, crystallised oranges, even a whiff of grapefruits, plus nutty almonds and walnuts, that walnut water note is so crisp. Underneath there’s damp hay, earth and humus, a little something slightly metallic that reminds me of a cast-iron casserole my nana used to have. It’s well counterbalanced, sherry isn’t massive so it doesn’t overpower, scream new oak and spicy oak come through real fresh, and the smoke? Barely there neat, but water revealed a higher smokiness straight away, which is a nice surprise. Long finish, little bit of dark chocolate and grass at the end, very powerful, very big one overall. Result is appealing, even if it’s a little less precise than some drams I’ve had. Never stops growing on the palate, feels like it’s still got more to give even after sitting in the glass for ages. Spirit has a little less to say than some, but it’s more or less exactly what I want on a cold evening, not too sacrilegious, just solid, tasty whisky 🥃

Whiskyspace Notes 1954

Jun 24, 2026, 07:39:13

Right, this one's a very big one, proper nervous energy to it. Thickish mouthfeel right away, almost a slightly meaty edge like a cast-iron casserole left on the hob too long. Fresh oak and spicy oak fighting for space, sharp spiciness, quite some ginger, and something slightly metallic underneath. Sherry isn't massive but there's chocolate, walnuts, bitter oranges, crystallised oranges, more of the same really. Damp hay, grass, earth and humus, almonds, walnut water. Amber colour obviously. First fill butt or re-coopered butt maybe, more active cask, scream new oak. Water revealed a higher smokiness which I wasn't expecting, smoke lingering long after. Grapefruits come through later. Little less precise than the 1997s I've had but well counterbalanced, more or less. Spirit has a little less to say now but give it thirty years in glass and this style should further improve. Not too sacrilegious a pour, same feeling I always get with these – powerful, never stops growing. 🥃

Whiskyspace Notes 1932

Jun 24, 2026, 04:41:24

This dram hits you with a big, bold nose – amber in the glass, and the strength is proper powerful. First sip brings out these walnut and almond notes, like biting into something nutty but grounded. There's an earthy, almost humus-like depth that's oddly satisfying, mixed with a cast-iron casserole richness – savoury and a bit metallic, which I quite like. The smoke creeps in later, especially when I add water; it’s like the smokiness doubles down, sharp and spicy. Citrus is there too – crystallised oranges and bitter grapefruits dancing around, but not too loud. Chocolate and spicy oak linger on the tongue, with a thickish mouthfeel that’s well counterbalanced, though maybe a touch less precise than expected. The finish is long, never stops growing, and I reckon this style would only get better with another thirty years in glass. Sherry influence is there but not massive, so it’s more about the spirit’s own character – and that Clynelish ain’t shy, that’s for sure. A big’un that’s got layers, though it’s more of the same after a while. Still, it’s a proper dram for the price. 🥃

Whiskyspace Notes 1385

Jun 3, 2026, 11:21:26

Ah go on then, cracked this one open last night. Poured a dram, nice amber colour in the glass, looked promising. First sniff — a bit nervous actually, it's a very big one. Got quite some ginger and sharp spiciness straight off, then underneath there's this damp hay and grass thing going on. A bit of smoke, but not loads. Dab of water and suddenly water revealed a higher smokiness — much better now. The mouthfeel is thickish, quite chewy. Tastes like walnuts and chocolate, maybe some bitter oranges and grapefruits lurking about. There's something slightly metallic in there, and a touch of crystallised oranges. Quite spicy oak driven, screams new oak to be honest, maybe from a more active cask? Gets a bit meaty after a while, like a cast-iron casserole sort of vibe. Earth and humus underneath, bit of fresh oak and almonds. A few drops more water and it opened up nicely — walnut water and damp hay came through more. Very powerful stuff, well counterbalanced though. Definitely feels like one of those 1997s that never stops growing in the glass. Spirit has a little less to say compared to the cask influence, but the result is appealing. Re-coopered butt maybe? Not too sacrilegious to say it could do with another few years — style that should further improve after thirty years in glass. More of the same on the finish. 🥃

Whiskyspace Notes 1341

Jun 2, 2026, 17:34:26

Right, just poured myself a glass. First sip, there's this sharp spiciness that kicks in, but it's actually well counterbalanced, so it doesn't blow your head off. Added a drop of water, and suddenly the smoke got way stronger, like sitting by a bonfire. 😊 I'm getting walnuts and almonds on the nose, maybe from the first fill butt. Quite some ginger there too, with grapefruits and bitter oranges popping up. Makes me think of a cast-iron casserole cooking away—something hearty. Walnut water hangs around, and honestly, the result is appealing enough. It does scream new oak, a bit meaty, giving that same feeling all the way through. Damp hay and earth and humus in the background, very big on character. More of the same bold notes as you go, not too sacrilegious at all, though there's something slightly metallic in there. The colour's a nice amber, with grassy hints, but the sherry isn't massive—just a subtle touch. It feels a little less precise sometimes, but then crystallised oranges come through. Definitely a very big one to sip on. 🔥