🥃 Clynelish
Clynelish is a distillery and single malt Scotch brand near Brora in the Highlands: first distillery 1819, new one built opposite in the late 1960s; waxy, coastal style; 14 Year Old 46% ABV; Diageo.
Clynelish is a distillery and single malt Scotch whisky brand near Brora, in the north-east Highlands. The first distillery was founded in 1819 by the Marquess of Stafford, and a new one was built opposite it in the late 1960s. It is owned by Diageo, and the style is described as waxy and coastal. The neighbouring Brora is a separate distillery.
History. The original distillery gave local tenants a market for their barley. The modern one was built across the road from the old one, and sources disagree on the opening year: 1967, 1968 or 1969. The old distillery was renamed Brora, closed, and returned to production in 2021. Clynelish long served as a bulk malt for blends, including Johnnie Walker; Malts.com names it as one of the "four corners" of that brand.
How it is made. Water comes from the Clynemilton Burn, and the barley from northern Highlands. Difford's Guide describes the taste as light, with a salty island note and wax; the 14-year-old has 46% ABV. On the nose it is waxy, and on the palate very fruity, with clove and orange peel. Malts.com notes that the distillery is closed to visitors.
Range. The main release is a 14-year-old at 46% ABV. There are other official bottlings, as well as independent bottlings, for example from Signatory, which may have a completely different age and strength.
Why it matters to you. Do not confuse Clynelish with Brora: they are different distilleries, even though they are neighbours. Independent bottlings can have a different strength. The age on the label is the age of the youngest whisky. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 1819 (Marquess of Stafford, first distillery); the new one in the late 1960s (1967-1969 by different sources), Brora, Sutherland |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (single malt Scotch whisky; Highland) |
| EU category | 2 - whisky/whiskey |
| Raw material | barley malt; water from the Clynemilton Burn |
| Distillation method | twice, copper pot stills |
| Minimum maturation | at least 3 years in oak by law; the main version is 14 years |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 46% ABV (14 years); at least 40% ABV by law |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Clynelish → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Diageo
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What is made from it
- 🥃 Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Highland whisky
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Johnnie Walker, 🥃 Glenfiddich, 🥃 Glen Scotia, 🥃 Glen Scotia, 🥃 Glenfarclas, 🥃 Glenfarclas, 🥃 Bell's, 🥃 Bell's, 🥃 Ardmore, 🥃 Ardmore
Frequently asked questions
Are Clynelish and Brora the same distillery?
No. Brora is the old distillery, renamed from the original Clynelish and restored in 2021, while Clynelish is the new one built opposite it.
What ABV is Clynelish 14 Year Old?
46% ABV, according to Difford's Guide. Scotch must be at least 40% ABV by law.
How do independent bottlings of Clynelish differ from the 14 Year Old?
Independent bottlings, for example from Signatory, can have a completely different age and strength, so read the label.
What does UK law require of a single malt Scotch like this?
The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 require at least three years in oak, and a single malt must come from one distillery.
What glass and serve suit a waxy Highland malt?
A tulip-shaped nosing glass or a tumbler, neat or with a few drops of water.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden vessel made of oak staves in which wine matures, picks up new aromas and slowly takes in air.
- 🌍 Western Europe — France, the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg: a mild, moist climate, pastures and hundreds of cheeses such as Roquefort, Camembert, Gouda and Cheddar.
- 🧑🤝🧑 British — People of Great Britain; their protected West Country Cheddar matures for at least 9 months, and tea is drunk with milk.
Similar
🥃 Blair Athol · 🥃 Oban · 🥃 Royal Lochnagar · 🥃 Benrinnes · 🥃 Black & White · 🥃 Teaninich
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- Malts.com (Diageo): Clynelish (1819 Marquess of Stafford, new distillery across the road, Clynemilton Burn, waxy coastal style, Brora reopened 2021)
- Difford's Guide: Clynelish 14 Year Old (Brora, north-east Highlands, 46 %, waxy and fruity, Diageo)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)