Clynelish 1995 26 Year Old Whisky Sponge Edition No.39 Refill Sherry Butt Single Malt Scotch Whisky ABV 57.7% Vol 700ml / 70cl (Pre-Order 7 Days)

As the Sponge devolves into the world of whisky books, bibles, websites, scores, disagreements and silly nosing glasses, so too does the whisky darken... 

Phase II of the Descent Of Sponge is a beautifully balanced and complex 1995 refill sherry butt of Clynelish. Aged for 26 years and bottled at its natural cask strength of 57.7%. This has bountiful Clynelish distillery character - waxes, oils and minerals galore - integrated with soft dark fruits, tobaccos and hessian from the balanced refill sherry profile. Another shade of sherry influence and a cool demonstration of just how diverse this cask type can be. 

Nose: a step up in terms of richness. Starts on porridge and sunflower oil, then some linoleum and waxed papers, but after some time also a fruity sweetness which includes a few golden raisins and a hint of apricot. Subtle almonds and walnuts. A hint of oak polish too. Less typical waxiness perhaps, but more complexity.

Mouth: similar thoughts. More sweetness, richness and more polished oak to round it off further. Oranges, apricots, hints of ginger and leather. A lightly herbal edge. Still a great greasy layer and waxy citrus. Getting drier towards the end.

Finish: rather long, more minty now, with some tangerine and drying chalk in the very end.

Here the wood was a little more active, which seems to turn up the volume. Definitely a richer profile, more sherried albeit without the typical Oloroso character. Complex and balanced, right up my alley.

PRODUCT SUMMARY