I have decided to visit the Quaich Bar at South Beach for my next entry in my whisky journey. If Glendronach is what i feel as my favourite expression on Sherry-forward whiskys, Clynelish is the equal peer to what is my favourite expression on Bourbon-forward whiskys. The waxy white fruits notes are a delight to my palate with wonderful notes of pear and apple that come through.
Initial Nose: Lemon, spices, white fruits, typical clynelish waxiness, mineral salts
Nosing after time: the lemon and fruit notes (green apple peel) pull back to let the mineral salts come to the front with interesting savoury almost slightly dirty notes.
Palate: White fruit, pepper, chinese herbal bitterness
Finish: savoury almost salty finish with spices such as clove, dirtyness
A bold intense version of a Clyneslish that I wouldn’t say has my favourite profile expressed in the forefront but more at the background. With denser notes of chinese herbs and earthiness that dominate after the initial palate, this is still a very enjoyable dram. The initial fruity/waxy Clynelish characteristics welcome you at the door with a Brora-like character that meets you inside with dirtier notes.
Clynelish 21 (Cadenhead) 1992
Clynelish (1992, 21 Years, Bourbon Hoghead, ABV 51.6%)
Bunnahabhain 2009, 12 Years, Sherry Butt
The second dram of the night (last dram due to the new regulations of all drinks to stop by 1030 due to Covid… sigh) is a Bunnahabhain exclusively bottled by Quaich bar. I have a found passion towards Bunnas due to Lydia (Lady Bunna of Singapore) and as her Fiancée is Kris (Lord Clynelish), it is only apt that I try these two distilleries side by side.
Initial Nose: Rich marzipan, treacle, alcoholic punchy, banana, rose
Nosing after time: fruitcake, honey, cinnamon, cranberries and nutmeg (with 2 drops of water banana becomes more prominent)
Palate: sweet honey, nutmeg and cinnamon spices, syrupy, gooseberries, red berries, sweet tobacco (sweet tobacco becomes more prominent with 2 drops of water)
Finish: nutmeg spices with red berries prolong in the finish
For my first foray into modern Bunnas this is a wonderful entry. A Christmas cake/punch in a glass with the high ABV. Although the alcoholic punch can be felt, there is equal flavour to match the intensity. More than just the enjoyable christmassy notes, the banana notes on the nose are extremely enjoyable.
Bunnahabhain 12 (Quaich bar) 2002
Bunnahabhain (2009, 12 year, Sherry Butt, ABV 67.1%)
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