Review #470; Scotch #157: Clynelish 29yr (1984) “Bumblebees By the Sea”

This is a bottling from the SMWS. It is a 29-year-old Clynelish, aged in a Refill Ex-Sherry Butt. This bottle was bottled at Cask Strength with no color added and was non-chill filtered.

ABV: 57.6%

Nose: Punchy, Honey, Graham Cracker, Allspice, black peppercorns, figs, apricots, dark chocolate, toffee, apple peel.

Palate: Thick and oily mouthfeel, a bit waxy. Heavy honey, vanilla cream, fresh cut hay, butterscotch, fig jam, dark chocolate, campfire smoke lingers faintly over the experience, apple peel.

Finish: Long finish, warm honey and graham cracker, toffee, lemon zest, fig jam, campfire smoke, raisins, oak spice.

Rating: 10/10

This is an exceptional whisky. Thick and rich mouthfeel, lots of baking spices but the refill sherry really allows for the base Clynelish malt to shine through. This is a great example of balance between cask and spirit influence. It may run a tad high on the oak for some but I like the pop of oak spice that lingers throughout. This just pretty much hits that sweet spot of balance, depth, and flavor that I would want in a scotch.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect


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