Clynelish 14 years

Score: 53

Clynelish 14 Year Old, Diageo’s “quiet” classic distillery, the wax master, the ghost of Brora, remains one of the most underappreciated Highland malts in the club’s tasting history. Bottled at 46% ABV, it’s a coastal single malt with a signature waxy texture that sets it apart from its louder peers. The distillery, built opposite the now-silent Brora, carries a legacy that whispers rather than shouts, and this dram is its eloquent ambassador. The nose is a study in subtlety: zesty citrus, dried tropical fruits, and that unmistakable beeswax note. There’s a touch of smoke, but it’s more suggestion than statement. On the palate, it’s crisp and dry, with orange peel, soft acidity, and a gentle oak backbone. The finish lingers with light pepper and a teasing bitterness, never overstaying its welcome. It’s a dram with distinct character, decent complexity, excellent balance, and the distillate shines. A shame, really, that the club couldn’t jump on the bandwagon for this classic when it first appeared. Maybe it was too quiet, too refined, too... waxy. But now that palates have matured and preferences evolved, perhaps a redram is in order. After all, some classics only reveal their brilliance when the audience is ready to listen.