Alright, we’re on the home stretch of my reviews of the 2023 release of Diageo’s so-called Special Release. I’ve found it to be more of a Ho Hum Release so far. Will this 10 yo Clynelish turn things around? It seems to be a . lot to ask of a 10 yo whisky—but keep in mind that others in the series (the Talisker and the Mortlach) don’t even have age statements. This was put together from first-fill bourbon casks. I might have asked for a mix of first-fill and refill casks but, hey, at least they didn’t use virgin oak casks. Got to keep things in perspective if you want to be a positive guy like me. What fanciful name did they give it? The Jazz Crescendo. I assume that’s because the casks were American. So hip, that Diageo. I don’t believe there’s any truth to the rumour that it was originally titled The Jazz Climax before concerns over font readability caused them to change course. Okay, enough nonsense: let’s see what it’s like.
Clynelish 10, Special Release 2023 (57.5%; first-fill bourbon casks; from a bottle split)
Nose: A lovely mix of toasted oak, biscuity malt, lemon peel, honey and wax. On the second sniff there’s some white pepper and some over-ripe pear and just some hot tarmac. Continues in this vein. A few drops of water and there’s a bit of custard.
Palate: Comes in with the lemon peel in the lead and then there’s a big fruity burst as I swallow: peach, pineapple. Very approachable at full strength; viscous texture. The musky fruit pops out earlier and there’s more of it on each sip: a bit of tart-sweet mango in there too with time. The oak expands a bit more than I would like. Okay, let’s see what water does for it. It pushes the oak back and makes the fruit sweeter.
Finish: Long. The muskier fruit continues for a while, with the oak providing a frame. As on the palate with water.
Comments: Well, this is easily the pick of the bunch so far. Loved the very waxy Clynelish nose and the burst of fruit on the palate and finish. Neat, there’s just a bit too much oak on the palate for my liking but water fixes that. Pity about the price.
Rating: 90 points.