This is the third and last of the Signatory Vintage casks that were bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange. It is a sherried Clynelish 1996.
Clynelish 18 yo 1996 (55,5%, Signatory Vintage for The Whisky Exchange 2015, refill sherry butt #6509, 606 btl.)
Clynelish 18 yo 1996 (55,5%, Signatory Vintage for The Whisky Exchange 2015, refill sherry butt #6509, 606 btl.)Nose: not the cleanest start, with a earthy and slightly sulphury / mushroomy hint, but this disappears. Overripe melon. Then some nice baked apple and raisins, chocolate, rhubarb jam, even a bright hint of raspberries. Lots of leathery notes and pepper. Hints of waxed paper as well as some very light potpourri.
Mouth: sweet and spicy. The pepper is stronger now and joined by liquorice, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stewed fruits, mainly red berries and candy apple. Becomes darker and drier, on dark chocolate and ginger.
Finish: long, still very much on plums, raisins and spices.
The sherry cask makes this Clynelish very full-bodied, fruity and spicy at the same time. Not my favourite from this trio, but overall quality is undeniably high! Around € 120.
Score: 86/100