Funny how I sometimes decide which whisky to review next. While thinking about a system to organize my samples, I noticed a small crack in the stopper of this sample. Although the safety closure was rather intact, it’s probably better to try it right away.

Clynelish 33 yo 1973
(54,5%, Signatory Vintage 2007, refill butt #8915, 399 btl.)

Nose: juicy and quite direct, with lots of citrus notes (clementines, warm oranges, fresher lemons) and plenty of mint. A bit of wet gravel and hay. Nice beeswax and pollen. Dandelions. There’s also a tiny bit of farminess in the background, which reminded me of the Clynelish 1974 for The Whisky Fair. Pretty great. Mouth: nice balance of juicy fruits (grapefruit, lemon, pineapple on syrup) and honey with a more pronounced earthy / peaty edge. Mint again. Mustard seed. A grassy / oaky bitterness in the end. Finish: long, staying right in between the fruits and the mineral sharpness.

Excellent stuff, another mix of Clynelish and Brora characteristics. Originally around € 100. Now easily € 250 and more in auctions.

Score: 92/100