Review #813; Scotch #193: Clynelish 26yr (1993) SMWS 26.151 “Fragrance Clings to the Hand that Gives Flowers”

This Clynelish, bottled by the SMWS, was aged for 26 years in a refill ex-bourbon barrel. Distilled in 1993 this was bottled at cask strength with no additives and was non chill-filtered.

ABV: 47.3%

Nose: Honeycomb, Granny Smith Apple, Vanilla Wafer, Apricot, Hay, Lavender, Rancio, Peppery, toasted coconut.

Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel. Honey, Granny Smith Apple, Apricot, Vanilla Wafer, Lavendar, Rancio, Peppery, Raisins, Orange Marmalade, toasted coconut.

Finish: Long finish, Honey, Peppery, Rancio, Lavender, Apricot, Hay, Raisins, Orange Peel, Vanilla Wafer, toasted coconut.

Rating: 10/10

Rich, Pungent, Thick oily mouthfeel, fantastic balance and flavor. Its rare you run across something as spectacular as this. The depth is amazing, the complexity is there, the floralness that comes across is great as are the fruits and more savory aspects. There is that underlying nuttiness and honeycomb that ties it all together. Much like SMWS 26.105, there is nothing extreme here in stats or flavor. Its just great balance, flavor development, and what to me is the perfect unpeated single malt.

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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