Country – Region: Scotland – Highland
Distillery: Clynelish
Bottler: Subtle Spirits & Alexander Murray
Type:  Single Malt
Age: 14
Cask: Ex-bourbon Hogshead
ABV: 57.1%
Proof: 114.2
Price: $159

Nose: Pears, apple crumble, damp oak, coastal breeze, white flowers

Palate: Fresh stone fruits, peaches, nectarine, orchard fruits, butter, quince dryness, tropical fruits

Finish: White peppers, white peach, butter vanilla, 

Clynelish is pure love for some single malt lovers. It is perfect from so many angles. When my friend Joshua Thinnes from Subtle Spirits told me that he picked a Clynelish 14, I got very excited. Then when he came up with the name Selkie Queen and with the beautiful artwork of Hannah Yata, my excitement peaked.

The whisky is bottled by Alexander Murray and bottled at 57.1% abv. This should sound too good to be true for those Clynelish 14 fans out there. I know it because I am one! There is (or was) only 252 bottles of this whisky.

I would try to rewrite the story here, but why not read it from its creator, Joshua? 

How Does This Taste?

Crisp, vibrant like a morning walk which you come across dew formations on the leaves of trees, plants. Fresh air hits your face with indisputably heavenly notes of orchard fruits, damp earth, coastal breeze, white flowers. Then you take a sip and those orchard fruits explode in your mouth. Peaches, white nectarines, apricots with browned butter while it creates a quince dryness all around the palate.

The finish gives you white peppers but white peaches are there all time long with butter vanilla.

Selkie Queen - Clynelish 14

Verdict

Lovely whisky, I will enjoy every moment of this whisky. I tell you, this will make me sleep happy, talk passionate, love every moment more and more.

At one point in the palate, it just reminded me of the Glenmorangie 18 disguised as Clynelish 14. All those stone fruits, tropical explosion with the Highland breeze.

The story, the whisky, the packaging. Everything is just very well done! Good job Joshua!