ralfy review 634 - Clynelish 14yo @ 46%vol (2017)

[@ardachesjokaklian6209]

Thank you Ralfy,just so you know!!! You're not a nuisance commentator, you're like a symphony in a sea of drunk angles..There are times that I watch 10 or even 15 reviews in one go and I don't get bored. Please keep the good work and hopefully you do the food pairing you promised me...Armenian malt lover...:)

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . some day I will review food pairings !

[@ramanavudarapu6382]

Ardaches Jokaklian h

[@MARMALARD49]

Love this review. Ralfy is like Yoda, he's a whisky Jedi master teaching us the ways of the whisky Force.

[@mcomiskey7]

This review love. Like yoda, Ralfy is, whisky jedi master teaching us the ways of the whisky force, is he.

[@abdullahchris9176]

sorry to be off topic but does any of you know of a way to log back into an Instagram account? I was dumb forgot my login password. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer me!

[@briaratlas7451]

@Abdullah Chris instablaster ;)

[@abdullahchris9176]

@Briar Atlas Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@abdullahchris9176]

@Briar Atlas it did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thanks so much, you saved my account :D

[@Carleton.Weaver]

Ralphy, I don't know if you will get a chance among your many other comments to read this. I finally found a bottle of this profound malt in Canada. I sipped my first dram of it while watching your video. It was an experience tasting it, as if I was with you in the bothy and we were enjoying it together. I learned so much from this video while tasting this delicious malt. You were so right in saying that fans of Islay malts will find this whisky right up their alley. I can't wait to see how this develops as I go through the bottle over time. Thanks so much Ralphy, this malt along with your video has delivered quite an experience. I re-read your first book over the holidays, looking forward very much to your second. Cheers friend.

[@drumman33]

"Genuine, quality flavor, even when it's not in fashion, will never go out of style." Love that, sir. 🥃

[@dksculpture]

I'm watching a legend here. I've watched your videos nearly from your start. Sipping Clynelish 14 as I watch this, your tasting notes are spot on. I can't suss them out very well myself, but as you express each characteristic, I can then taste it. You're like the world's best docent taking me through the spirit museum. A sincere thank you for the education.

[@frankdowns12]

I often wonder how much of it is Ralfy's excellent pallet and ability to articulate smell and taste, and how much of it is suggestion. The fact that I can try to pick up tastes myself without any external input and get 2 or 3, and then ralfy can do a video like this and I can clearly smell and taste a good amount of what he's talking about is a unique experience that almost feels like a really cool magic trick. It would be great for him to do an april fools video where he just sees how many tastes he could get people to taste that aren't there. He wouldn't, but it would be a good prank.

[@themaltedmancave9499]

Awesome review Ralfy! I love what Clynelish is putting out right now. They finally got the memo that we want higher abv's, no color added, and non chill filtration. I had a Clynelish 21 Signatory Cask Strength exclusive for The Whisky Exchange that was truly superb! Cheers my friend!

[@bongson691]

Hi ralfy I bought 2 bottles 🍼of this whiskey and I bought it because you gave it a 91 score, and I'm now through my second bottle and have only 1 bottle left, I will be buying more as soon as I can, I buy my scotch whiskey from total wines, 135 miles away from where I live, this is a superb whiskey for me, and I only wish I could afford bora whiskey, but as you know is very expensive, thanks ralfy for turning me on to this bottle, cheers sir, keep up the great reviews !!!

[@jamesboddington1389]

Thanks for putting me onto this one Ralfy! As a wine enthusiast it reminds me of a really good Puligny Montrachet or Blanc de Blanc Champagne. Taught and sinewy with tangy concerntrated palate that just keeps giving without ever getting broad or flabby. Since I can't afford good Puligny anymore I'll have to make do with Clynelish! An outstanding malt!

[@judaslukas]

One of my favorite drams! There have always been notes I could never pick out, but kept me coming back to pull them out. The wormwood, melon, sour and bitterness are exactly what I have been tasting. Thank you for reviewing this Ralfy!

[@shugaroony]

Couldn't agree more with Ralfy about coming back to a non-beginner's malt and getting more out of it after leaving it a while. I had bought about a dozen bottles in my life up until last year when I began to take this more seriously, and I discovered Ralfy's channel. Through his - and other online - tutelage, I began the whisky journey in earnest and my plan was, and still is, to go through the basic repertoire until I find my bearings. I bought the Springbank 12 cask strength shortly afterwards, and though I quite liked it, I did find it a bit ovewhelming and too much with everything going on with it. I drank about half the bottle, put it to one side then went on a kind of spending spree buying up other whiskies that I'd then try out. After 6 months I came back to the Springbank and realised I was getting more out of it, and at the end absolutely loved it. It seems my experience is progressing and I'm understanding it a wee bit more. I've still a hell of a long way to go, and in no rush to get there, and it'll probably be years before I can fully appreciate form and decipher it; and there is still a tonne of notes in smell and taste that I'm getting but not quite understanding just now; but I realise my limitations just now, and thats no bad thing. I fancy this one as heard about Clynelish and its pretty good name; so I think I'll test myself and buy it soon!

[@shugaroony]

Bought this Clynelish 14 last week and will open it shortly, so came back here to check out Ralfy's notes. He was spot on about re-opening Brora though, its happening alright!

[@fastpoose]

Just having a lovely sip of this, whilst watching your review Ralfy. Wow you're spot on with the profile, 'banana with toffee drizzled over it...' the fruits wow, the "elegant malt note" YES! The key as you say is the addition of water, more than I usually would. Hats off to you Ralfy, you always enhance my whisky experience significantly!

[@courtcomposer]

Dear Ralfy. I am sitting with a dram of Clyneslish 14. Time is definitely key in experiencing the full expression of this malt. Thank you!

[@tyhargett5197]

I'm on my second bottle of this in three months, and I got to say that I enjoy this a great deal. I found sweet complex malt notes, smoke, chocolate and vanilla, and a little oak. It was different than what I was expecting from other reviewers notes, but I was pleasantly surprised. And its cheaper than Lag16, Macallan 15, and Arbeg Uigedahl in my area.

[@bongson691]

Hi ralfy I bought a bottle of bladnoch 10 and just opened the bottle, "neck pour " and I will give this bottle time to open up, right now I'm not enjoying it thus far, with a tea spoon of water it's just a bit hot, but I have high hopes for this bladnoch 10 year old, the nose is great, I will let you know how it goes in the future, thanks ralfy for the review of this whiskey and cheers 🍻 Sir !!!

[@jamesd.wheeler6190]

This has always been one of my top faves! After this review, I better get a bottle, Its been a couple years! I havent seen Ralfy enjoy a dram this much in a long time!

[@coreymartin-bigpoppa1377]

Ralfy, that was one of the best whisky lessons I have ever had in a long time about how to enjoy Clynelish. You are one man that can explain whisky knowledge very well. Cheers!!!

[@manuelbanda7492]

Finally someone agree with the experience I had with this expression. An espectacular whisky!

[@jeffmill999]

I have watched this several times and Ralfy is so well informed and able to convey his myriad of experience with such grace. He is the man...

[@ssd1874]

Ralfy thanks I have had 3 bottles of this and first too very good a chieftains independent bottle which was wonderful my last official bottling is very disappointing more colour and less complex I believe chill filtered others I have shared with agree . So I bought a compass box orchid house same time similar price pointalthough a blend really good and have ordered 2 more as you say put away for later the 46% and non chill filtration is noticeable especially adding water there you go now you know malt mates

[@chriswitham8736]

Lovely to see your genuine enthusiasm here.I've recently started a bottle of Clynelish 14 YO having had my first bottle some 5 or so years ago near the beginning of my own malt journey. I loved that first bottle, I felt that as a relative novice that it really trained me. This new bottle, then, was opened like you welcome an old friend and I am finding it very quaffable.

[@akihitochan]

in the past, my beloved ralfy and I seemingly disagreed on matters of great importance. however, i recently got small 200ml bottles of caol ila 12, cylenlish 14, and talisker 10. a great taster! I tasted them all before watching ralfy's videos and it was amazing how much our ratings matched up. cylenish 14 blew my mind into small pieces - this whisky is incredible. glad our palates are so similar, even if our philosophy and epistemology isn't. i'll continue to trust your taste.

[@maltymission]

one of my favorite bang for your buck whiskies! an absolute must in any collection

[@riancreamer6904]

Recently opened my bottle of this. Was surprised how light the nose was at first and the mouth feel was so rich and concentrated. Was enjoyable because of that neat but much better with a good splash of water - really opened up the smokey, sweeter notes and enhanced all the other flavours and smells. Adding more than I'd normally do made this almost beer like - a nice lightly hopped English ale kind of thing. Very good indeed and the finish just goes on and on . . .

[@Cypeq]

I find it hard to decipher without a splash of water... very dense waxy/cardboard and heavy wood, with it really does spread like carpet and absolutely new whisky comes out.

[@glenwinn8432]

Absolutely delicious. Many at 46% cannot take 5-10 ml of water but imo this malt certainly can. Ralfy as usual has done a thorough job describing the character of this malt and I cannot add to that. My wheelhouse is islay whisky and I find this 14yo to be very accessible and exercises my palate in more directions than other malts. Rather than adding water on second sips, add water on first sips and finish neat.

[@bike_practicer3677]

Another great review. I'm relatively early in my whisky journey but this malt is the one that took me to another level. While taste is subjective I agree 100% with the commentary of this review, exquisite! Cheers Ralfy!

[@markmcmillan1075]

Thanks Ralphy, this is DELICIOUS bottle. Recently you used the word ‘apprenticeship’ in regards to the pallet. That word sets my mind right. CHEERS to you and all.

[@calebsteingruber6906]

First impression of this one...exactly the word you used, exquisite. Took about an hour with 2cl in the Glencairn, and a glass of water. It hits all the points in the mouth, hard to believe I got this for 28€ each. Your review convinced me to go back in and purchase. Thanks again!

[@BonjobyBasketball]

I'm a relative beginner, only purchased a like 6-7 bottles of scotch before this one, mostly into the Balvenies, and the GlenDronachs. But my god. The complexity of this whisky relative to what I've experienced before is something to behold. I absolutely love it, there is just so much going on that I don't understand haha. Each time I have a glass, something new and different pops up.

[@jeffmill999]

I love your taste in whisky..Balvenie, Glendronach...my favorites..and Clynelish...I have more of these 3 than any other distillery..Billy Walker only in the Glendronach line.. I found Clynelish when I bought Compass Box Spice Tree... Cheers

[@BonjobyBasketball]

@@jeffmill999 Thank you. Sounds like you have great taste too. They're great whiskies, I've always wanted to try a compass box whisky. I recently got a Glendronach cask strength batch 10 and saving it till my University graduation next year. Can't wait.

[@jeffmill999]

@@BonjobyBasketball wow! Here in Cambodia I cannot get newer releases. But, I do get older ones...I found some incredible The Balvenie 15 single barrels that were bottled in 2010..I am still grabbing liters of the Glendronach 12 from 6 years ago... But, the cask strength is a gem.. Best of luck with school!!!!

[@BonjobyBasketball]

@@jeffmill999 i wish I could get some of those older bottlings! Here in Australia we have whisky clubs that sell some of the newer stuff, no stores though. I will. You enjoy that Balvenie too

[@jeffmill999]

@@BonjobyBasketball Well covid destroyed tourism and I live in Siem Reap..a major tourist destination... I am going to buy some whisky today..A good example is Laing's Rock Oyster blend...they changed the name to Rock Island. But, my store still has the original. Toss in the Clynelish 14 at $45usd this includes tax and it is so hard not to buy... I saw one last bottle of Glendronach 12 ...Billy Walker...very hard not to grab it while it lasts.. Take care

[@johnandrus3901]

I just bought a bottle where I stay in New Jersey. Heading back home and will enjoy a dram in a couple of days. It's not available where I live, so I really look forward to it.

[@MacMichael267]

"Slow things down quickly" Made my day. But it is so true in order to really enjoy and appreciate a good malt properly.

[@sergejbertram3755]

My favorite whisky so far although I consider myself as an advanced beginner, yet! I love its combination of sea air plus floral and citric scents and flavors. It is a pleasure to feel this Malt every time especially on fresh air / my balcony. I liked it from the first sip and felt more and more in love with it after time.

[@jack22van]

I bought a bottle & it tastes exactly how he describes, second day is much nicer then first as your palate can make sense of it... can't wait for tomorrow, it leaves a beautiful minty aftertaste mixed with honey & tropical fruit.

[@lcpholman]

Got a bottle of this as a birthday gift a few weeks ago. Can't say I got it at first, but it most certainly piqued my interest. Several weeks later, and halfway through the bottle, I am totally enamoured. So characterful and unique. I decided to find out more and found your review. Summed up everything perfectly for me. Thanks.

[@Caudacaecilia]

I bought Clynelish for the first time a few months ago and was impressed, but given my inexperience with this distillery, I wasn't sure _how_ impressed I should be. I'm glad to see my instincts align with your assessment.

[@neelsengupta662]

Just bought a bottle, and really looking forward to opening it!!

[@DonnerPassWhisky]

Sounds interesting, am enjoying the complexity of Craigellachie 13 that has been said to be a not for beginners dram. Also been enjoying pairing it with something easier like Old Pultney 12 as going back and forth you have an appreciation for both. Cheers

[@atavachron27]

And of course Ralfy's prediction will come true, with Diageo reopening the Brora distillery in the next year or two. I live a 1/2 mile from there so looking forward to tasting some new Brora whisky in 10 yers or so!

[@calebsteingruber6906]

Oh great review! I was just in my local grocer, and they had exactly this single malt. Ya know what? I went to my car, watched this...and then I purchased 2 bottles, for a total 56€! I plan to take my time, and practice, and be patient...I might just have to buy my first Glenfiddich as a whistle wetter and palate cleanse. Thanks again Ralphy! Oh, you never said anything about its cost. Cheers!

[@lukef3699]

LOL. The only challenging thing about Clynelish 14 is not drinking the whole bottle. Love the stuff.

[@christopherjones8949]

When Ralfy says ‘Oh my’,then takes an extended eyes closed pause, you know something special is happening.

[@Yong_Goh]

i tried this neat and i got big hit of menthol and bitter tea... let it sit in my mouth for awhile and even an oily coat forms... a tea spoon of water and i got herbal and fruity character... ten mins later... a burned caramel front comes in... and even a whiff of smoke... what a trip! outstanding achievement of a whisky

[@alexk3088]

Wow, I'm late to the party here but it's quite rare to see Ralfy enjoying a commercial mainstream bottling so much! I accidentally picked some up on clearance, probably a bottling from a couple of years ago. Mine didn't mist up with water, sigh. But I'm so glad I got it. Difficult whiskies are to be cherished. I learned that early on - when I first tried HP12 and Old Pulteney 12 on the same evening, in a hurried, impatient session, I got really weird off-flavors and was disappointed. Later came to really love both malts. That experience taught me that easy likable tastes tend to just stay there, it's like watching a movie. The "difficult" whiskies are like serious, weighty books, they require brain activity and contemplation. And they are more rewarding. Thanks, Ralfy!

[@lukasjakubdrabek7050]

Ralfy, could you please tell me the bottle code of this reviewed Clynelish 14 yo? Thank you. (I think it would be very useful to mention bottle code in the description field under each and every video. Especially with official bottlings that typically have too many different batches.)

[@darkMalaghost]

Outstanding review Ralfy! Gonna grab a bottle now.

[@famillioner]

I can't believe this malt has gotten so much more expensive recently, people in the comments got it for 30€ a bottle or even less, now it's almost 40€, this is Springbank prices theretory.

[@hubertlepicki]

I love this one. It's available in my default supermarket here in Poland, always on shelves, in a price of below 180 PLN (35 GBP). One of the hidden gems that are less known to occasional drinkers, and are usually overlooked. It's a bargain, really.

[@babydavey2782]

Thanks again I’m going to buy a glenlivet and compare I bought the clynelish 14 yrs with also chivas Regal mizinura and a 8yrs and 10 yrs Talisker watching you and learning from you helps me enjoy these whiskys and by the way I love drinking the ardbeg with the Jameson one of my favorites I wish I could have a drem with you one day as an expat Aussie living in Japan I hope to visit Scotland and Ireland one day is my gran was Irish and grandpa Scottish all the best love you your on you tube

[@ggggggcaipad]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience and wisdom. Your reviews are without parallel. Truly enjoy your videos. Please keep it up.

[@mistermalt3234]

Hi Ralfy, you're so right. What a dram for less than 40 €. Clynelish is on my radar now. Bought me some independant bottlings from Signatory. Cheers mate.

[@AKeil-vj4bo]

Hey Ralfy absolute fantastic review. I have this bottle in my bar but it's a while ago that i had it in my glas. So now i feel like that there is so much new to discover about that nice Whisky!

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

Good review Ralfy. Thanks. I Recently bought new bottle of Clynelish 14, a must-have in all whisky collections in my opinion. I noticed that the canister artwork had changed. I was very pleased because the old canister was very underwhelming with the name “Clynelish” and “14” in such small letters it was impossible to read it if put on a high shelf. It certainly did not stand out in the shop which put it at a disadvantage right from the start. I’m glad to see that they have addressed this issue by enlarging the font and making the artwork far more prominent without changing dramatically the overall style. If anything, the whisky inside was even more enjoyable than the last bottle. Delicious combination of uniquely distilled spirit with some real quality American Ex-Bourbon casks. I commend them for bottling at 46% abv but what a shame Diageo insist on chill-filtering and adding E150a. The lack of colouring would really show off those lovely Ex-Bourbon casks and not chill-filtering would I suspect address what I think is the only major criticism I have, which is a slightly watery thin mouth-fill. Leaving those natural oils intact would give us a far more oily/waxy rich full flavoured one. I might well invest in an independent bottling of Clynelish just to see if this is true.

[@rolfisaksen7311]

Hi Thanks for sharing your experience. Do you have information about chill-filtering and E150 in this bottle? Or are you just assuming since its not stated otherwise on the bottle. I wonder, since Ralfy got scottish mist in his glass indicating non-chillfiltered...

[@theelderkine]

Curious too as Ralfy - in this review - directly addressed the apparent lack of chill-filtering.

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

Derek Conley I think being that it is a Diageo product you can almost assume without looking at it that they have added E150a. Looking at the colour it does have a slight strange orange hint to it which is not consistent with the Ex-Bourbon casks they use. Regarding chill filtering. I agree that the magic 46% abv which reduces clouding without chill-filtering does hint that perhaps it is non-chilled filtered but in my opinion I think that there has been some chill filtering going on as I would expect a thicker oily mouth fill than what I am getting. Compare with other non-chilled filtered malts the Clynelish tastes too thin in the mouth.. I could be wrong though.

[@theelderkine]

Thanks for your reply; I certainly appreciate your take on it.

[@AndyCigars]

I agree. I have a bottle of this and it is one of my favourite whiskys I have ever tried!

[@vpvirta]

Thanks for the review Ralfy! Im not very experienced whisky drinker, but I am very experienced beer drinker so i guess it helps a little bit in getting to know whiskys. And I'm so happy to say that I'm liking this whisky! What a lovely sweetness in the beginning. This might be the next single malt I will buy. It will probably be good to have one challenging malt around.

[@1o1s1s1i1e]

Thank you for the malt guidance Ralfy, terrific advice as always! I'll keep my eye out for this one.

[@andrewcrozier9272]

Just picked up a bottle today. Going to give this a try tonight thanks Ralfy

[@cato451]

Clynelish 14 is a great dram. Murray has never scored it. What a putz.

[@BloopsnBleeps]

No. That's good. I don't want the price doubling.

[@crocolifestylecrypto8875]

Thanks very much Ralfy for the review. Big fan of you. I am going to buy this Whisky. Keep it up!!!

[@pinkwaferlover]

Like the other commenters, bought a bottle on Amazon prime deal after eyeing it for a while. Never tried it before. Says it has added colour on the back. Feels a bit thin, probably chill filtered, if not 4 years ago, then now? Besides that, it has all the flavours that were mentioned and is pretty good. Just wish it had a bit more mouthfeel. Decent stuff, benefits from a drop of water.

[@iancrombie8862]

Good stuff this,have tried it a few times in last 2 years.Great depth of flavour and 46%,although Ralfy said Gordon& Mcphail 15 year old is better,they had run out last time I was in the shop in June.

[@courtcomposer]

Finally purchased it! Will be tasting it soon. Thanks Ralfy. I hope you are well.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . all good !

[@kevinhorwitz6973]

Clynelish 14 one of my favorites, thank you for the review

[@K-xb5pf]

I’m watching this video drinking Clynelish 14. You are a genius as you precisely spot on the elements of this Whisky. Amazing

[@ferisalgue]

I've never clicked on a notification so fast in my life... haha I've been asking you for this for quite a bit now. I apologize if I annoyed you :P this knocked anything I've ever tried out of the water. Best Malt I've tasted so far... need to run and get some more bottles to store them *.*

[@MortAllachie]

This is a must have for me. One of my absolute favorites. At least considering the price.

[@gman5986]

Ralfy @ 13:34 you are descibeing this whisky as a "Blended Malt" . My bottle states "Single Malt" as it does on Distiller .com. Was this just an "Ooppsie" on your part?

[@christopherjones8949]

What I think he means is that this is a blend of of the same malt but from different casks.

[@sfchrisrom]

Enigmatic North Coast Highland. Briny, Spicy, Pepper, Wax. This one needs time to open. Be patient. Nose: RICH, barley, vanilla, very floral. Lavender and honey. A touch of briny peat. Palate: BIG, strong arrival of sweet biscuits, offset by brine. Citrus peels. Just a suggestion smoke and heathery peat. Spicy, pepper. Candle wax, dark cocoa. Faint soapiness in the palate. Fiery, medium mouthfeel. Strong flavors, it can take water. Finish: Shot, brine, wax, bitter lemon peels and pepper. Outstanding North Coast Highland scotch. Reminds me of Oban 14. Not for a novice. Underrated. This scotch is the character malt of JW 18 Gold and Compass Box Artist Blend. New favorite along with Bunnahabhain 12.

[@kennethhannah]

Phenomenal review. Watched with this very dram in my hand. So true and exact. All hail the Whisky Prophet!

[@garrettjanssen7683]

Hey Ralfy, the whisk(e)y scene has been changing in America. Elijah Craig Small Batch has shed their age statement. Bourbon on the whole is more expensive and in NJ entry single malts are $55 often. At least Compass Box GKS AB isn't too expensive. Love to see some armagnac reviews. Had some Domaine Boingneres the other day, great stuff that prides itself on artisan representation of its terroir.

[@Pew7070]

Thank Ralfy! I wish I heard your advice before throwing my Highland Park 12 into a blend I made.

[@davidarmstrong2078]

I'm happy to have an unopened bottle of this in the cupboard. The future's bright.

[@jeffmill999]

Me too and a half full one to finish...Plus, I found some from 6 years ago in a market for $45usd...time to stock up

[@Ivo--]

Just cracked a bottle of this and was very impressed by it. It is so very fruity. The presentation is rather excellent for Diageo's standards! I can see also why Compass Box likes it so much!!

[@swanandarole]

Hello Ralfy. I just tasted a couple drams the Clynelish 14 on a beach on the blue moon night a few days ago. I'd had a glass of dark rum before. And the whisky tasted absolutely out of this world😊Delicious. Promptly bought a bottle today !! 91 malt mark is spot on...you'd given the same to Glengoyne 18, and Clynelish 14 appeared to my inexperienced palette as a close cousin of the Glengoyne 18....with Aberlour 16 coming as a cousin once removed😀Thank you for all your detailed information and analysis. Am an avid Ralfy addict. How about " Malty Mangy-dogs" for a malt mention ?😂

[@evanhayes5891]

There definitely seems to be some confusion as to whether Clynelish 14 is chill-filtered. The one I had a year ago was. I didn't particularly like it. It tasted like a huge punch of sulfur with a little salty sweetness. Why the sulfur? I don't freaking know... but I've tasted the same thing (to a lesser degree) in Old Pultney. I was a beginner back then, so it's time to go back to the coastal highlands. Very curious about Balbair, Glen Garioch, and yes... Brora.

[@hyperboogie]

Evan Hayes - taste is a very subjective thing. We all get different things... you've mentioned sulfur and I got a definite sulfur note from the Laphroaig Quarter Cask which I found hugely overrated, hyped and disappointing. As for balblair, it's hard to find but pretty damn good.

[@garyrobinson8665]

Glen garioch 12 is my favourite whisky. It's very sweet, spicy and a tiny bit smoky not peaty. It has a very long finish. It's a bit punchy due to the high alcohol content but if like sherried whisky I highly recommend it.

[@evanhayes5891]

I do like sherried malts, but very sweet Scotches can be hard for me. I have Edradour 10, and that's too sweet. Tastes like seafoam candies. If Glen Garioch is smoky, that could be a great foil to the sweet. In fact, why don't more Scotches dry their malt with normal wood smoke? A lightly mesquite-smoked whisky, be it Scotch or bourbon, would really revolutionize things.

[@evanhayes5891]

Balblair. I'm going for it!

[@hyperboogie]

Evan Hayes - you will enjoy it I believe

[@matthewbeddow3278]

Thanks Ralfy , i've liked this whiskey the dry herbal and sweet/sour is very appealing. Pineapple chunks is one note i remember but is does need time and patients as it is complex and can be overpowering and a little confusing if you don't give it time.

[@Shane4Bass]

91/100, wow this must be a good batch, compared to the last time you reviewed this brand which received a respectable 87/100. My bottle of Clynelish 14 says zawier karmel at the back, which I think means sugar caramel has been added?

[@CloseUpMagicMaster]

Loving the reviews Ralfy! Keep up the good work

[@Yong_Goh]

A whisky of many faces... ive gone from being confused at neck pour then warm up to its personality about 3 drinks in... a week later all I got was an over bearing menthol note that put me off... then a week later came back and there was all the nuances I remember enjoying. A persons form at time of tasting is everything.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . this is often the case with good liquor.

[@alexk3088]

A very important observation. This self-awareness is the delineation between casual whisky drinkers and whisky geeks, IMHO. I also think it's possible to feel when a certain style will be enjoyable or not. Some days just aren't meant for whisky (that's when I like cognac or Armagnac, if anything at all).

[@davidhartley5045]

Beat ya to it this time Ralfy,,,,, bought it! shared it! bought another to stash away for the future. On with a strathmill 12 and a Craigellachie 13. Brilliant reviews, thank you. David

[@garyrobinson8665]

Craigelacchie 13 is beautiful.

[@michaellambright7968]

My dram tonight. Great review, great malt.

[@kentower]

Ahoi Ralfy, First of all thumbs up for your style of reviewing, its fantastic. I especially enjoyed you rounding up to 91/100 for this lovely malt as I really love it and I was kind of waiting for you to increase as it was obvious you were enjoying it , too. I would like to know if you did a video on your top ten malt marked ones already and if not if you would care to do so in the future.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . no plans at the moment, bottles can change so much from batch to batch !

[@vsiglov]

Brilliant review Ralphy - I've just returned from a tour of Speyside distilleries and I picked up a bottle of Clynelish at the Cardhu distillery for £33 - what a bargain! I've had a couple of drams already and I agree with everything you say. I'm a fan of Kilchoman so it was really interesting to hear you suggest the similarities. I also got a bottle of Benrinnes 15yo at the Cardhu distillery - that feels like another complex and non-entry level malt... I would love to hear your thoughts on it. Keep up the excellent work.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . some very good Benrinneses out there, hope you got a good 'un !

[@aecguy]

I had a bottle of Clynelish and it looked a lighter colour , a beautiful drink.

[@thevelointhevale1132]

Just bought this drop today after reading the carton and saying yes .... glad to see this gets such favour at 91 ... I don't like basic floral, vanilla & fruit ... love a challenge. Seems I chose well.

[@III-jj8qk]

it reminds me of pulteney. If you try pulteney that is higher proof you will know. It is briney with spice and gentle honeyed ginger jasmine tea. Aroma is briney sugar biscuit. I do not taste overt bitterness i don't try it with water I think it is great as is.

[@hoyethemphill2511]

Wood worm whisky, I think Hobbits drink that on holiday in Northern Wales. 🤔

[@Cypeq]

wood worms or wormwood?

[@joepdeboer8724]

toffee bananatoffe banana with toffee sauce over it but just a little bit of toffee sauce over it.

[@joepdeboer8724]

wonder if ik could taste the Differentstraat between bananatoffe​e and banana with toffeesauce over it let alone in a malt

[@toddstevens6608]

Joep Boer smashing review

[@johnhenfrey5936]

Thanks for the review Ralfy. Just about to set off to, The Bon Accord. I will try this whisky, and bring a bottle home if I like it.

[@mikefidler5959]

The prior one was awesome, just bought two of these, one for now and one for the cupboard. Waiting in DHL anticipation.

[@reggiewsks]

Hiya Ralphie, I'd like to know more about independent bottlings.......what are they and why do they change the taste of the whisky. Thank you.

[@bschauz]

Just bought a bottle of this, I think I need to get my bearings a bit 😉 Great review!

[@jagsingh5652]

such a coincidence, i recently got a 20cl version of this and opened for the first time yesterday, i tend to make initial tasting notes but with this I just didnt feel I could make an initial description. Will wait a couple of weeks before I revisit this one. A lot of what you say resonates with my experience so thanks again for another great informative vlog! cheers

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . happy to help with the malt-moments !

[@jagsingh5652]

ralfydotcom .. they've gone and done it. Diageo announced refurbishment of Brora and Port Ellen in time to begin production 2020 I believe!

[@brandonrodriguez7584]

Great review Ralfy! Love the channel... What’re your thoughts on the Glen Grant 15 yr batch strength? I recently did a blind tasting where this just barely beat out Clynelish 14 and Glenallachie 12. The other malt in the lineup was Longmorn 16.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . decent version, but some batch variation to account for. Touh competition for the G.G. there !

[@PhilosopherThom]

that's quite a higher mark than the 87 you gave it the first time

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

I agree. I would have guessed Ralfy would have given it an 88 or 89 maxs. I don't mind admitting that I didn't see that 91 coming!

[@elieaoun6]

Thanks for this brilliant video! I have got a question, please. I am seeing on the internet 2 different labels (bottlings) for Clynelish 14 (you have reviewed both). Are they the same whisky just different labels and bottling or utterly different whiskies? Cheers!

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . same whisky, different labels.

[@AndyCigars]

I have an independent bottling of Clynelish (Murray McDavid 1995 11 years old) non-chill filtered/no colour added and it is the same colour as my OB of Clynelish 14year old. In my opinion, I would say there's no colouring added.

[@Kvs-vf9nt]

I have to say when I sipping this one and sipping balblair the week before. Clynelish is a lot better. And tastes amazing. And for me an easy whisky to smell and taste. Also it was in promotion so I bought 2 bottles of it. It's 9 euro cheaper the bottle than in other shops so I was very glad today I picked them up. I hope it gets even better with some time.

[@foxhound5702]

Sup Ralfy. good review as always... you should do an episode where you do a shootout of the 6 classic malts of scotland, the idea popped into my head after you just did Cragganmore 12. would be a good episode man!

[@tobiasbleyl4047]

Hey Ralfy, again an excellent review that makes me curious about this whisky. Been watching your vlogs for quite a while and learned a lot about whisky and beyond that about life. Drinking single malt whisky is always like a voyage through all sorts of flavours, some of which I wasn't even aware of before I started getting into whisky. Thanx for all the lovely malt moments you are sharing with uns. What about reviewing Craigellachie 17 years old? In my opinion an excellent malt which is far more complex than the 13Y old and is a lot cheaper now than when it appeared on the market, at least were I live in Germany. Reminds me a bit of Mortlach sometimes, maybe because of the worm tubs they're using. Keep up your good work and remain steadfast in beeing critical! Cheers malt mate

[@iancrombie8862]

Clynelish 14 is superb...End Of!!!

[@BrianAudia]

For the same money if you have yet to have tried either: Clynelish 14 or Longrow Peated?

[@cookieMonsterSincho]

Found a bottle of this in a pub , after tried this bought the whole bottle what a wiskey!!!!