The Single Malts of Scotland 10 YO Australian Exclusive Cask Strength (Clynelish ) 59.1% 700ml

For anyone enamoured with Diageo's official 14 year old release, The Single Malts of Scotland does what every good indie pick should do and delivers something extra. Capturing a fabulously creamy, rich Clynelish experience, it brings home why many rank this remote Highlander as one of Scotland's finest distillates. Denser and heavier than the 14 year old, although not quite as waxy, you will need time to tease it out and amplify the aromas of sweet bread, dried banana, honey and poached orchard fruits that reference ripe Alsation Pinot Gris. Matched by a thick, oily palate that includes shortbread, sponge cake, ripe pear and banana cake with a burst of beeswax and spice to finish and you have yourself an absolute treat. So much more intense than the 46% version, some may baulk at the price difference but in our opinion, it's worth it - this gets you closer to the 'real thing' which is becoming increasingly rare. Our only chagrin is that the 30ml sample wasn't bigger! It would be nice to see how this behaves with water and evolves after extended breathing. That pleasure will be reserved to the 200 or so customers who get in first. Drawn from an x-Bourbon barrel at 59.1% Alc./Vol., and available for Australia only, the outturn is just 213 bottles. Non chill filtered.

Now gathering momentum with collectors, Clynelish in its purer forms has gained a place as one of the most sought-after singles. Jim Murray raved about the 14 year old in his 2022 Whisky Bible, positioning it as one of the most highly rated and affordable malts of the annual. Serge Valentin of whiskyfun.com ranks Clynelish a Grand Cru Classé and one of his favourite makes. Yet today, only a tiny percentage is marketed as a single, the remainder being allocated to the Johnnie Walker Gold blend.