2000 Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice Clynelish 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Located on the stormy sea coast of Sutherland, the Clynelish distillery is a replica of the modern Islay distillery, Caol Ila, and faces the now abandoned Brora distillery. When the distillery was built in 1819 by the future Duke of Sutherland, the quality of Clynelish whisky was already highly prized and only private customers were supplied; “trade orders” were refused and Clynelish was “always the highest priced of any Scotch whisky.” Currently owned by Diageo, it remains a key component for the Johnnie Walker blends, in particular, Gold Label Reserve.

At Clynelish, barley is malted with a medium peat and mashed with water from the Clynemilton burn to produce the wort, which is then distilled twice in pot stills. Clynelish’s style is sometimes described as coastal, with some ‘island’ character - namely, a subtle, salty tang. We also find a distinct beeswax characteristic is not uncommon. This bottling from Gordon MacPhail was matured in a refill Sherry butt and a refill Sherry hogshead, distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2015. Non chill filtered and natural colour. 46% Alc./Vol.