Bought one bottle based on the review, I'm very happy with it. Somewhere between an Arran 10 and a Bruchladdie. Not worst or better, just more intense than the first and less floral, but not as intense as the latter. Any of the three could be the preferred one, based on taste. The bottle I bought was on a sale, so cheaper than usual. I might buy more if for the same price, if not, probably I'll go for one of the other two.
Good to hear that you too are finding batch variation in the Clynelish 14. For me it's still reliably good, though the most recent bottle I've opened seems to be a bit simpler. Though probably not a fair comparison, I put it up against the Craigellachie 13, which I found to have better complexity. Cheers for your insightful and humorous review!
Also a big fan of Craigellichie 13. Craft presentation at sub $50 USD and a really interesting , "thick" and heavy Speyside profile. Love the fact it is light in color and clouds right up with a little water. Very authentic stuff and a bonus is the retro label which is awesome.
I would put Craigellachie 13 right up there in terms of a good bang for your buck scotches. Two very different whiskies but both easily enjoyable and can hold on their own against many much expensive and sub-par whiskies. Cheers Alan!
A recent bottle I had was “thinner” and less complex so it’s definitely the luck of the draw these days it seems. Still, for all the reasons you gave, I’m going to give it the benefit of the doubt for the time being. It’s a whiskey that gets better in the glass over time and rewards a long evening of contemplation. I was late to the party on the waxy batches - it’s something I haven’t gotten, but there is a certain viscosity still present in better batches in my view. Good to re-review ( maybe title it that - just a gentle suggestion ;) ). Keep up the stellar work!
Thanks Declan. I do think some of the older ones were waxier, that's true. I was lucky with this bottle, as it's still got a lot of the subtleties and complexities that it's known for. And yes, mine also has a nice viscosity. But it's a shame that it's a "luck-of-the-draw" situation these days, especially considering how reliable this stuff used to be. Cheers man!
Great video. A lot of discussion has occurred recently about batch variation concerning Clynelish 14 in the community indicating that this staple has started changing. I got a batch of this that was sharp and far less waxy than others had described. Your notes make the batch you have seem more full and rounded than the one I have. It's still good, but I probably won't be buying another bottle due to the variability, especially with the price increases.
Yeah I think I got lucky with this one, but unlucky with the last. At least there are some good batches still floating around, although you'll never know it until you pop it. Really hope they get things back on track at Clynelish. Beautiful stuff when it's at its best. Cheers Sam, thanks for watching!
This is not a critique, more of an observation, but I find it interesting that a distillery like Springbank will be at best celebrated for their batch variation, at worst forgiven because they are considered more “craft.” Yet when it comes to the big multinationals, we don’t’ apply the same standards. We want every bottle to resemble the last which leaves me wondering, is it any wonder they chill filter and colour the whisky. Consumers can’t seem to align behind what they want.
@@trevorbrown389 I think in this case it's that it is not a better/equivalent quality whiskey. Springbank doesn't need to be consistent because it's almost always top notch. Normally I care about quality rather than consistency. My Clynelish 14 just missed both in general.
@@samueld1 while I agree Springbank in general is an integrity dram, more than a few of their releases have been what I’d consider off or odd. Especially the sherry matured variations. I’ve had a few 15 and 18’s that were not well put together, and a little disappointing. And beyond the core Springbank range, Longrow, especially the reds, are very hit or miss. And Hazelburn divides. All that said, I do love Springbank, and when they get it right it’s really right, but they are far from consistent in putting out, shall we say “delicious” juice. IMO, respectfully.
@@trevorbrown389 Really interesting point there. For me, batch inconsistency if it is just fine as long as it meets two conditions. 1. The first is that the whisky should be of good general quality across most of its releases. Some might be better or worse, but the overall quality is still consistent. 2. The second is that the batches are marked so there is a way for consumers to know what to expect from a particular bottle they find. Arbitrary rules, but that's my two cents. Cheers!
Like a lot of reviews I am also missing the waxy notes of years gone by, however this is still one of those whiskies I would recommend to both experienced whisky drinkers and those starting out, as it has a great balance of being both approachable and complex. This is the whisky I have poured for friends who tell me they don't like whisky, and they have so far all been pleasantly surprised.
I have a bottle of this. Geoff and it's good stuff. Great review and so educational. I never knew that whisky that had previously tumbled over waterfalls was superior. That gem really knocked me out! Slainte, my friend!
I'm glad you're enjoying your bottle Victor. Still fantastic whisky, shame it's lost some consistency. Oh, you didn't know about the waterfall thing? 😉
That's a good one Geoff....a little astronomy throw-in can always help whisky nosing and tasting for sure. I had to double tap on the star alignment and had to fasten myself to a chair when I poured the last remaining dram out of Clynelish 14. As for Ralfy, I think he's generally pissed at the distillers these days. His latest Bunnahabhain 18 review followed up his poor rating of Clynelish 14 and he slapped Bunna hard as well in a bad way. There maybe some variation in the latest Clynelish 14 but remember people are still stuck on comparing today's scotches with scotches of the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's...well we sure as heck don't believe in the past, do we now? Clynelish 14 is still a pretty solid pour compared to many 14 & 16 year olds out there and is still reasonably priced making it a solid value buy IMO. I agree with your 87....Cheers G!
Thanks Rohit. Yeah that poor Bunna 18 review shocked me! But yes, often people do compare modern whiskies to the whiskies of yesteryear-and usually those comparisons don't flatter the modern iterations of the whisky. Sadly, those criticisms are often true, though. I do think Clynelish has lost some consistency. But as you said, it's still a good whisky. You're right, it's better to see the silver lining. It absolutely does outperform many of its 14-16 year old counterparts!
Thanks, Geoff. Another great video. I enjoy your insightful, one-sided conversations. There is so much to talk about with these whiskys, in the right company. I will definitely seek this one out. It is readily available in the US, but I am confident it doesn’t move very regularly. It sure does sound appealing. OBAN 14 vs this? That’s a purely subjective call.
Thanks for the wonderful words of support, buddy. I hope if you try this one out you get one of the better batches. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it if you do grab one!
Clynelish 14...£35 on Amazon vs Oban 14....£69 so winner is....🤷♂️ P.S. i just bought Clynelish 14 + Old Pultney 12 for £28 and both still cheaper than Oban so Shame on Diagio!!
Batch variation be damned! I am on a quest to buy and try different single malts and I do not have a Clynelish so when it appeared in my Canadian market and was on sale for C$82 (US$60) I had to buy a pair of them.
Hi Mr G ..great review mate ! I also saw the Ralfy review and I kind of agree with you both , at its best its still a damn good whisky and great value ,BUT as you say ,which Clynelish are you going to get , consistency is all over the place these days , I'm finding that for my everyday tipple I've reverted back to Deanston 12 simply because its more consistent and predictable . Lets hope Diagio can get The Cly 14 back on track , its been a staple in my collection for donkeys years , but right now ..It just cant be trusted ..Keep up the great reviews !!
Well said, Allan. This really is wonderful stuff when it's at its best. A few years back I would have told you it's as reliable as a sunrise. Really don't know what happened, but let's hope they get back on track! Cheers!
I did some searching and there are versions languishing in shops with the old livery and picked up one bottled in 2012 (as evidenced by a paper label that the authorities place on the neck of the bottles here in Poland); it's definitely a little richer compared side by side with most recent bottling. Worth hunting down these vintage bottles IMHO.
Haven't retried Clynelish 14 recently, but I do have a bottle of Clynelish from Game of Thrones series, and I like the regular 14yo more. The bottle of Game of Thrones is 51.2%, powerful but simpler, and there are some metallic note in finish. Overall, I love them all cause the candle flavor is my soft spot.🤣🕯️🥃🕯️
Ah the famous Clynelish "waxiness." It is quite special. I'm sorry to hear you didn't like the GoT edition. I've heard mixed things about that release, and the GoT releases in general.
Had another bottle of this recently - the ongoing discount at Amazon was too much to resist. My score was down a bit from 90 to 87 - still a lovely dram but lacked a little of the complexity and texture of my previous bottle. Still to be recommended at that price but not sure I'd make a case for it above Deanston 12 or Glencadam 10.
Ralfy is right: light chill-filtration is a thing. I definitely got some light mist with water. Of course, we'd prefer no chill-filtration at all. Clynelish's USP is that they do not clean (or don't clean often) their feints and foreshots receiver: hence the waxy goodness. But watch those batches, like you say.
clynelish 14 is an extremely odd whisky for me: 1. If I sip it casually, there is something slightly off-putting about it. 2. if I focus on it, I enjoy the flavor journey that gently reveals itself overtime. Ergo, probably shouldn't drink this casually. Gave mine a 3.8/5 which just hit the "buy recommendation" cut-off for a $65 bottle (per my own spreadsheet statistical slice and dice).
Hey Geoff! Tried the Clynelish 14 last month at a restaurant. It was from a brand new bottle that they opened at the table, so I let it sit a good 15 minutes before trying. It's a sweet one! Definitely would put this in the dessert whisky category. The thick and oily texture really stood out along with the honey sweetness. All in all a very enjoyable pour. Totally agree with the score of 87 that you gave it and would not hesitate to pick up a bottle next time it becomes available.
I have purchased more bottles of Clynelish 14 than I should. One thing that is apparent is no two bottles have been the same! My first purchased in Brora was stunning. I have purchased more than a dozen bottles over the last few years and they have ranged from fabulous to decidedly peculiar. My go to Whiskies are not expensive Dalmore12/Glendronach12/Glenmorangie10/Glenmorangie Quinta Ruben and overall they are pretty consistent. Quinta Ruben probably the least consistent but still very enjoyable. Got to say my exploration of Japanese Whisky has been an eye opener, with the Harmony range coming out really well!!
A few people seem to be downgrading this one from a "staple" "always on the shelf" dram to a "once in a while" dram, which is fair. You're right, there are other more reliable options these days. Cheers Brad.
I have the same batch because mine come from the same batch from 4-5 years ago. I had an older one with a different label as well. I get it at the same market ...here in Siem Reap..$45us no added tax...their sister store that is a newer fancier place sells it for $49us. I saw it in Phnom Penh 2 days ago for $39us on ad...S-liquors. I had already gone to my store and stocked up on old discontinued stuff and Deanston products.. I blew the rest of my whisky budget on girls that were 15s on a 10 scale and I never give above 9 traditionally. Love my Clynelish 14 and the same batch from old inventory treats me just right. Similarly, I have had about 10 Glendronach 12s Billy Walker era and have 5 full ...all from same batch same date before they sold to brown foreman. Cheers and good for you finding a good bottle.
Lol Jeff out there living his best life. Gotta love these comments, man! Consider yourself lucky you have a bunch of old inventory whiskies available. Sucks when you're trying to keep up with the modern releases, but fun to rub it in our faces when you can get the older better expressions at retail! Cheers buddy!
Always have Clynelish 14 on the shelf. In my region, still the best value 14 yo. Can’t comment on batch variation when I can’t even remember where I just put my glasses. I do love the stuff though. Star fruit! - just happened to buy some. Never thought to pair it with Clynelish (or any whisky) 😀
Hah! Fair enough. I am going off memory myself when I comment on the batch inconsistency. But in my mind it's quite clear that it's different. Now... what did I have for breakfast again?
Imo You will not get the magic from Clynelish by simply pouring and immediately drinking neat. Try adding a small amount of water and then taking time, you should find that after 10 minutes the flavour will subtly change and keep changing over the next hour, taking time shows the complexity and this really is a reference whisky for showing how flavour and character can develop in the glass. Imho Clynelish needs a small amount of water (up to teaspoon per dram but start with a few drops) to reveal flavours and complexity. I find that at some point during the journey, the flavours hit a sweet spot for me, sadly, the dram suddenly evaporates in the glass as it is empty. Give it a try. I do agree with some comments, there us variability in quality, good bottles are fabulous and some are simply fair to good but at the price it sells for in the U.K it is fantastic value. I just wish they did not filter it to death and added colour. Diageo, really do NOT know their customers because I doubt a single repeat buyer of Clynelish would vote for chillfiltering and fake colour. P.s , I find Clynelish really does taste very different dependent on what you have eaten, even medication can make it taste strange. I had an operation with general anaesthetic and couldn’t enjoy Clynelish for several months afterwards, no other whisky in my collection did same.
Interesting comment about how Clynelish changes with food, medication, etc. The better bottlings do have a subtlety that I think would be easily affected by such things. As for the water, I've tried it with water, and it was lovely. I don't usually water my whiskies, but you're right, Clynelish does open up nicely with some water. I agree that it's good value, especially when compared to what else is available in the 14-16 year old range. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, flyinstructor!
Maybe not as good as it used to be but still very good for £35 in uk currently only Glencadam 10 beats it for price and enjoyment imho keep up the good work greetings from London 🍻
'Fickle B*tch' is right. The presentation is exactly the same! Very glad that Diageo are using water, at this particular distillery, that is subject to traditional and old-fashioned gravity. It is so much better than that water the flows uphill. Good honest review Geoff, that is all we ask. Like others it seems, I've never got the waxiness on the standard bottling. Love the gags, and the tongue in cheeks. Keep 'em coming.
I think it is filtered, but not by much. Cask strength non chill filtered Clynelish is often misty/a little cloudy in the bottle. When I add water to the standard 14 I see scotch mist appearing every time. That and the 46% abv suggests to me that any filtering wasn't chilled.
I decided to give this another chance after giving it 84/100 a few years ago. I’m halfway through the new bottle and I still just don’t get it 🤷♂️ I feel like I’m missing something - it’s characterful but just kinda bland 83/100. Nice review always enjoy them!
Yeah I've come to realize some bottles are better than others and that they do have consistency issues. Still, I agree with you in the sense that I don't always understand the hype myself.
All Scotch in Canada is becoming much to expensive for the quality that we are getting. Love the stuff but the pocket book is not thick enough to drink that often any longer
Agree. No way I'd have this hobby if I still lived in Montreal. Things in Canada are usually about double the price I pay here in Taiwan. I've seen some bottles no less than triple my local prices!
When it's good it's good but I've had some mediocre bottles. What the hell is going on at that distillery? Talisker 10 will always be Diageo's number one for me. I pick it up for £30 a bottle. Oban 14 is a thing a thing of the past and Clynelish 14 has some issues. I'm hoping they're over that. There's a lot of good whisky at that price though and much that is cheaper. Talisker 10 is the go to.
I agree, Talisker 10 is by far the best value proposition from Diageo. But for a mainland highland offering, this one is still among the best. But yes, the inconsistency is frustrating. Cheers WT!
Would you say the subtle smoke is barrel char more than peat? It’s an ok price here in Aus, but for the $100 range, there’s some other great drams I’d struggle to not grab over this. Would love it if you got your hands on some great Aussie Whisky. We have a real heap that is just getting better and better! Any TIB bottles Id highly recommend (Tasmanian Independent Bottlers ) by Tim Duckett.
I've been hearing good things about Aussie whisky for years now. I'm interested, but sadly there's just no way for me to get my hands on any. They have literally no presence in Taiwan as far as I can tell.
I am very torn about this bottle. When I first had it a couple years ago, I was blown away, it was so big and beautiful, rich, chocolate malt in the mid, and although the finish was short and .. well, ... dead, it was inoffensive and still very satisfying. Then, just a few months went by, and the bottle went completely flat, it lost all of it's flavour and became like an entry whisky. It was just awful. But it's the memory of it as its peak that keeps nudging me to revisit, I just don't know if it's worth it since I really take my time with my bottles, for budget and health reasons, and this just doesn't seem to last long in its "life" in the bottle. It's a very unusual and rather .. peculiar whisky. I guess for that reason alone one could say it's special. *Shrugs*
Well before we listen to online reviewers or the opinions of others, we should fall back on our own experience with a whisky. If you weren't sold on it now, there's a good chance you won't be now. In scenarios like this I'd suggest some kind of bottle split or sample if you get the chance...
For me it's the best entry level whisky out there, yeah it suffers from batch variations, i just had the new one and it was less waxie. BTW, you didn't mention the waxiness at all which is a bit weird since it's Clynelish main character. you can relly feel it at the finish. It's definitely your palate that changes overtime, i remember your first Oban video, you weren't into it like you are now. our palate is a live animal, it keeps growing and changing overtime. that's the beauty of tasting whisky again after a couple of years. I believe that if you'll try now some other maritime whiskies (not peated or slightly peated) you'll like them more today. you'll have a different appreciation for them. like say, an Old pulteney 17, Scapa 14 etc. Btw, speaking of entry level whiskies, have you tried the Benrinnes 15? (f&f) for me it's one of the best entry level whiskies and i believe you'll love it. it's thick and complex, sherried and a little smokey, sweet and salty. the best out of the current f&f lineup.
Yes, my palate is constantly changing. My preference can change with my mood, the seasons, what I've eaten. Loads of factors. That's part of the fun! You're right, I didn't discuss waxiness in here. Definitely should have. Yes, it's less waxy that it's previous iterations. It's got a decent mouthfeel and the majority of the flavours are still there, but the waxiness is barely there at all anymore. Shame. I loved Old Pulteney 17 and 21 back in the day. Gorgeous whiskies and sorely missed. I like the new 15, and to a lesser extent the 18, but they don't need that bump of sherry. OP is at its best when it's bourbon matured, where those salty buttery bright coastal notes can shine. Benrinnes 15 is my favourite F&F! Characterful and meatier than any Mortlach on the market today. Huge fan of that one Question: How did you read my mind and where can I learn this power?
I am glad you are enjoying the current bottle, but that is really a little disconcerting that you had that much variation between the two bottles. Variation between picks, small batches or single barrels are to be expected and frankly celebrated as are the idiosyncrasies of annual releases. But I would expect the regular expression (especially the entry level release) to be better blended for rock solid consistency, especially when production batch or date are not clearly labeled. I am looking for a particular repeatable dram experience, not a lottery ticket...
Well said. I don't mind batches as long as a) the general quality is high between batches, and b) there's a clear way to discern them. Sadly not the case jere, although it's still wonderful stuff. 🥃
Is there any batch number or some etched markings you can read? That normally is a great pointer!! Like when I buy my Lagavulin 16 it is a great guide! because they have etched numbers on the bottle and on the inside sleeve they have a date of production very cleverly printed!
Very interested in trying this- for I loved the waxy character of Johnnie walker platinum, though have not tried many highlands except Glenmorrangie which I cannot stand. Is this pretty far off from Glenmorrangie? If so gonna buy,
Really like Oban 14. Just picked up the C14 but havent tried it yet. In my area Oban 14 costs less than $5 more than C14.. Considering the small price difference, which do you think is best? Thank you so much for your videos.
Not a fan at all of recent batches of the 14, quality has fallen off a cliff - thin, stale (?tired casks) and almost a complete lack of the signature waxy and citrus notes, in fact tastes nothing like a decent Clynelish and I say that as someone who ranks the distillery in my all time top 3.
That sounds a lot closer to the bottle I had last year. The one I have here is better, but the waxiness is almost undetectable. Definitely a huge drop in consistency.
olso sugestion vor you little gem whisky botttle knockando 18 its very good olso low price 60 or 70 bucks depend where you live i know you are going to like this bottle its cheap en good i am not goining to recommend high end bottles who i have becouse i know you like the cheaper ones 😜
So many great Diageo distilleries. The prices and the specs leave much to be desired, but there are a few brands that I love too much to abandon. At least not yet. The price hikes are making it easier to say no, though. 🥃
@@Gwhisky I know. But I haven’t been into whisky that long (although it feels like forever because I got way too obsessed lol), so there are still plenty of excellent non diageo distilleries I need to try. They will all come first.
@andrewlordon8734 Oban is definitely peated, just check out their own website. I always thought Clynlish was very lightly peated as well but haven't found anything definitive to confirm it.
The colouring is a real shame. The distillery is in a beautiful setting, the place is incredible. That said, it feels extremely commercial, more so than most. My current non peat favourite is Kingsbarns Dream to Dram 😍
Yeah, I think Clynelish is a major contributor to the Johnnie Walkers, so it's a big cash cow for Diageo, regardless of how it performs as a single malt. That might explain why it felt so commercial. I'll have to lookout for Dream to Dram. Thanks for the recommendation Lee!
Have enjoyed this in the past. No reason to buy this anymore … there are so many better alternatives be it Arran, Glencadam, Craigallachie, Blablair, Old Pulteney (15 is yum) … and frankly if you are looking for fruity & floral characters in whisky, there is no better value than Compass Box Orchard House 😋
I've been waiting and waiting for Orchard House to make an appearance here in Taiwan. Ever since Andy from Malt Box starting raving about it I've been on the lookout for a bottle. Someday!
87 is nice score indeeth i give it my self olso 87 or 86 oban 14 is olso nice one the only 2 good bottles from Diageo's😆😆😅 the only 2 bottles who i buy from them Diageo's i hate always low 40 procent no integerity whisky only thos 2 are good clynelish 14 have a special place in my heart i think its the best Diageo's botteling bud now i am laying i olso like the sigleton 18 years old why i like it its only 40 procent its collard yes i think the taste of sigleton 18 is not bad the fackt you pay 60 euro vor it its 18 years old taste is not bad i have always a sigleton 18 on my shelf sometimes i want somthing old bud donth have the time to really enjoi a good old dram then i take the sigleton 18 my question vor you is please help me out do you want to do a review of the sigleton 18 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 i cant thank you enough then if you want to do it sigleton 18 review
I had a NAS Grangestone (undisclosed) whisky that was abysmal about three or four years ago. Now I've had worse, but I mean for a single malt scotch that's marketed as the real deal, that was pretty rough. How about you?
Bought one bottle based on the review, I'm very happy with it. Somewhere between an Arran 10 and a Bruchladdie. Not worst or better, just more intense than the first and less floral, but not as intense as the latter. Any of the three could be the preferred one, based on taste. The bottle I bought was on a sale, so cheaper than usual. I might buy more if for the same price, if not, probably I'll go for one of the other two.
Good to hear that you too are finding batch variation in the Clynelish 14. For me it's still reliably good, though the most recent bottle I've opened seems to be a bit simpler. Though probably not a fair comparison, I put it up against the Craigellachie 13, which I found to have better complexity. Cheers for your insightful and humorous review!
Also a big fan of Craigellichie 13. Craft presentation at sub $50 USD and a really interesting , "thick" and heavy Speyside profile. Love the fact it is light in color and clouds right up with a little water. Very authentic stuff and a bonus is the retro label which is awesome.
I would put Craigellachie 13 right up there in terms of a good bang for your buck scotches. Two very different whiskies but both easily enjoyable and can hold on their own against many much expensive and sub-par whiskies. Cheers Alan!
There's a reason Craigellachie 13 was my whisky of the year last year! Love it!
@@Gwhisky Yes, indeed, I was surprised that it is nearly as good as the 17 yo version.
A recent bottle I had was “thinner” and less complex so it’s definitely the luck of the draw these days it seems. Still, for all the reasons you gave, I’m going to give it the benefit of the doubt for the time being. It’s a whiskey that gets better in the glass over time and rewards a long evening of contemplation. I was late to the party on the waxy batches - it’s something I haven’t gotten, but there is a certain viscosity still present in better batches in my view. Good to re-review ( maybe title it that - just a gentle suggestion ;) ). Keep up the stellar work!
Thanks Declan. I do think some of the older ones were waxier, that's true. I was lucky with this bottle, as it's still got a lot of the subtleties and complexities that it's known for. And yes, mine also has a nice viscosity. But it's a shame that it's a "luck-of-the-draw" situation these days, especially considering how reliable this stuff used to be. Cheers man!
Great video. A lot of discussion has occurred recently about batch variation concerning Clynelish 14 in the community indicating that this staple has started changing. I got a batch of this that was sharp and far less waxy than others had described. Your notes make the batch you have seem more full and rounded than the one I have. It's still good, but I probably won't be buying another bottle due to the variability, especially with the price increases.
Yeah I think I got lucky with this one, but unlucky with the last. At least there are some good batches still floating around, although you'll never know it until you pop it. Really hope they get things back on track at Clynelish. Beautiful stuff when it's at its best. Cheers Sam, thanks for watching!
This is not a critique, more of an observation, but I find it interesting that a distillery like Springbank will be at best celebrated for their batch variation, at worst forgiven because they are considered more “craft.” Yet when it comes to the big multinationals, we don’t’ apply the same standards. We want every bottle to resemble the last which leaves me wondering, is it any wonder they chill filter and colour the whisky. Consumers can’t seem to align behind what they want.
@@trevorbrown389 I think in this case it's that it is not a better/equivalent quality whiskey. Springbank doesn't need to be consistent because it's almost always top notch. Normally I care about quality rather than consistency. My Clynelish 14 just missed both in general.
@@samueld1 while I agree Springbank in general is an integrity dram, more than a few of their releases have been what I’d consider off or odd. Especially the sherry matured variations. I’ve had a few 15 and 18’s that were not well put together, and a little disappointing. And beyond the core Springbank range, Longrow, especially the reds, are very hit or miss. And Hazelburn divides. All that said, I do love Springbank, and when they get it right it’s really right, but they are far from consistent in putting out, shall we say “delicious” juice. IMO, respectfully.
@@trevorbrown389 Really interesting point there. For me, batch inconsistency if it is just fine as long as it meets two conditions.
1. The first is that the whisky should be of good general quality across most of its releases. Some might be better or worse, but the overall quality is still consistent.
2. The second is that the batches are marked so there is a way for consumers to know what to expect from a particular bottle they find.
Arbitrary rules, but that's my two cents. Cheers!
Like a lot of reviews I am also missing the waxy notes of years gone by, however this is still one of those whiskies I would recommend to both experienced whisky drinkers and those starting out, as it has a great balance of being both approachable and complex. This is the whisky I have poured for friends who tell me they don't like whisky, and they have so far all been pleasantly surprised.
Well said. Subtle complexity for us nerds with an easy going and accessible character for the uninitiated. All-rounder! 🥃
I have a bottle of this. Geoff and it's good stuff. Great review and so educational. I never knew that whisky that had previously tumbled over waterfalls was superior. That gem really knocked me out! Slainte, my friend!
I'm glad you're enjoying your bottle Victor. Still fantastic whisky, shame it's lost some consistency. Oh, you didn't know about the waterfall thing? 😉
@@Gwhisky Nope! Your channel is sooo educational! 👍
Ralfy scored this a 92 a couple years ago! I went out and bought a bottle and was really disappointed. I’ll give it another look in the future.
I wouldn't go that high, even with the better bottles. The good ones are fantastic, though. Cheers David.
That's a good one Geoff....a little astronomy throw-in can always help whisky nosing and tasting for sure. I had to double tap on the star alignment and had to fasten myself to a chair when I poured the last remaining dram out of Clynelish 14. As for Ralfy, I think he's generally pissed at the distillers these days. His latest Bunnahabhain 18 review followed up his poor rating of Clynelish 14 and he slapped Bunna hard as well in a bad way. There maybe some variation in the latest Clynelish 14 but remember people are still stuck on comparing today's scotches with scotches of the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's...well we sure as heck don't believe in the past, do we now? Clynelish 14 is still a pretty solid pour compared to many 14 & 16 year olds out there and is still reasonably priced making it a solid value buy IMO. I agree with your 87....Cheers G!
Thanks Rohit. Yeah that poor Bunna 18 review shocked me! But yes, often people do compare modern whiskies to the whiskies of yesteryear-and usually those comparisons don't flatter the modern iterations of the whisky. Sadly, those criticisms are often true, though. I do think Clynelish has lost some consistency. But as you said, it's still a good whisky. You're right, it's better to see the silver lining. It absolutely does outperform many of its 14-16 year old counterparts!
Thanks, Geoff. Another great video. I enjoy your insightful, one-sided conversations. There is so much to talk about with these whiskys, in the right company. I will definitely seek this one out. It is readily available in the US, but I am confident it doesn’t move very regularly. It sure does sound appealing. OBAN 14 vs this? That’s a purely subjective call.
Thanks for the wonderful words of support, buddy. I hope if you try this one out you get one of the better batches. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it if you do grab one!
Clynelish 14...£35 on Amazon vs Oban 14....£69 so winner is....🤷♂️ P.S. i just bought Clynelish 14 + Old Pultney 12 for £28 and both still cheaper than Oban so Shame on Diagio!!
Batch variation be damned! I am on a quest to buy and try different single malts and I do not have a Clynelish so when it appeared in my Canadian market and was on sale for C$82 (US$60) I had to buy a pair of them.
Hi Mr G ..great review mate !
I also saw the Ralfy review and I kind of agree with you both , at its best its still a damn good whisky and great value ,BUT as you say ,which Clynelish are you going to get , consistency is all over the place these days , I'm finding that for my everyday tipple I've reverted back to Deanston 12 simply because its more consistent and predictable .
Lets hope Diagio can get The Cly 14 back on track , its been a staple in my collection for donkeys years , but right now ..It just cant be trusted ..Keep up the great reviews !!
Well said, Allan. This really is wonderful stuff when it's at its best. A few years back I would have told you it's as reliable as a sunrise. Really don't know what happened, but let's hope they get back on track! Cheers!
I did some searching and there are versions languishing in shops with the old livery and picked up one bottled in 2012 (as evidenced by a paper label that the authorities place on the neck of the bottles here in Poland); it's definitely a little richer compared side by side with most recent bottling. Worth hunting down these vintage bottles IMHO.
I'll be on the lookout for a dusty! The older the bottling date the better it usually is! 🥃
Haven't retried Clynelish 14 recently, but I do have a bottle of Clynelish from Game of Thrones series, and I like the regular 14yo more. The bottle of Game of Thrones is 51.2%, powerful but simpler, and there are some metallic note in finish.
Overall, I love them all cause the candle flavor is my soft spot.🤣🕯️🥃🕯️
Ah the famous Clynelish "waxiness." It is quite special. I'm sorry to hear you didn't like the GoT edition. I've heard mixed things about that release, and the GoT releases in general.
@@Gwhisky Consider the price, for drinking it's totally not worth buying House Tyrell. Double the price for similar but younger flavor.
@@dairyyang5457 Good to know. Thanks buddy! 🥃
Hi Geoff ! Good rewiev . Clynelish 14 wery good whiski , i liked ) Cheers !
Thanks Light! Cheers!
Had another bottle of this recently - the ongoing discount at Amazon was too much to resist.
My score was down a bit from 90 to 87 - still a lovely dram but lacked a little of the complexity and texture of my previous bottle.
Still to be recommended at that price but not sure I'd make a case for it above Deanston 12 or Glencadam 10.
Yeah... you just don't know what you're getting with this stuff anymore. But as you said, still good. Cheers Sam.
Ralfy is right: light chill-filtration is a thing. I definitely got some light mist with water. Of course, we'd prefer no chill-filtration at all. Clynelish's USP is that they do not clean (or don't clean often) their feints and foreshots receiver: hence the waxy goodness. But watch those batches, like you say.
Great info, thanks Hordeum!
clynelish 14 is an extremely odd whisky for me:
1. If I sip it casually, there is something slightly off-putting about it.
2. if I focus on it, I enjoy the flavor journey that gently reveals itself overtime.
Ergo, probably shouldn't drink this casually. Gave mine a 3.8/5 which just hit the "buy recommendation" cut-off for a $65 bottle (per my own spreadsheet statistical slice and dice).
Damn I need a spreadsheet! 😂
Absolutely agree, the flavour developers in the glass over time and it is a journey. Try a few drops of water as this does reveal flavour also. Cheers
I have the older bottle(2016) of this and it is amazing. The soap, nectar, floral notes combine with its waxiness are just gorgeous
It's been a while since I've had a bottle that fits that description. Enjoy! 🥃
Hey Geoff! Tried the Clynelish 14 last month at a restaurant. It was from a brand new bottle that they opened at the table, so I let it sit a good 15 minutes before trying. It's a sweet one! Definitely would put this in the dessert whisky category. The thick and oily texture really stood out along with the honey sweetness. All in all a very enjoyable pour. Totally agree with the score of 87 that you gave it and would not hesitate to pick up a bottle next time it becomes available.
Glad you enjoyed it, Peter. It's a fan favourite. Worth picking up, even of its not as consistent as it once was. Cheers! 🥃
I have purchased more bottles of Clynelish 14 than I should. One thing that is apparent is no two bottles have been the same! My first purchased in Brora was stunning.
I have purchased more than a dozen bottles over the last few years and they have ranged from fabulous to decidedly peculiar. My go to Whiskies are not expensive Dalmore12/Glendronach12/Glenmorangie10/Glenmorangie Quinta Ruben and overall they are pretty consistent. Quinta Ruben probably the least consistent but still very enjoyable. Got to say my exploration of Japanese Whisky has been an eye opener, with the Harmony range coming out really well!!
Agree about Japanese stuff. Excellent whiskies if you can get them at a fair price! And yes, Clynelish 14 is famous for its inconsistency. Cheers! 🥃
Hibiki Harmony in the UK sells for £79.95
But if you can get it duty free it’s £66.56 a real bargain! A lovely blended whisky!!
It’s chill filtered. You called It G, they want consistency.
Yeah cheers Ben. Shame they aren't succeeding with that goal at the moment.
I like it but it's 1/3rd more expensive than Deanston 12 so... I might buy it again.
A few people seem to be downgrading this one from a "staple" "always on the shelf" dram to a "once in a while" dram, which is fair. You're right, there are other more reliable options these days. Cheers Brad.
It just appeared at my local liquor shop. Cost 65€. Oban is 76€. Not sure if I will buy any of these, but I would love to try it.
I have the same batch because mine come from the same batch from 4-5 years ago.
I had an older one with a different label as well.
I get it at the same market ...here in Siem Reap..$45us no added tax...their sister store that is a newer fancier place sells it for $49us.
I saw it in Phnom Penh 2 days ago for $39us on ad...S-liquors.
I had already gone to my store and stocked up on old discontinued stuff and Deanston products..
I blew the rest of my whisky budget on girls that were 15s on a 10 scale and I never give above 9 traditionally.
Love my Clynelish 14 and the same batch from old inventory treats me just right.
Similarly, I have had about 10 Glendronach 12s Billy Walker era and have 5 full ...all from same batch same date before they sold to brown foreman.
Cheers and good for you finding a good bottle.
Lol Jeff out there living his best life. Gotta love these comments, man!
Consider yourself lucky you have a bunch of old inventory whiskies available. Sucks when you're trying to keep up with the modern releases, but fun to rub it in our faces when you can get the older better expressions at retail! Cheers buddy!
Always have Clynelish 14 on the shelf.
In my region, still the best value 14 yo. Can’t comment on batch variation when I can’t even remember where I just put my glasses. I do love the stuff though.
Star fruit! - just happened to buy some. Never thought to pair it with Clynelish (or any whisky) 😀
Hah! Fair enough. I am going off memory myself when I comment on the batch inconsistency. But in my mind it's quite clear that it's different. Now... what did I have for breakfast again?
Imo You will not get the magic from Clynelish by simply pouring and immediately drinking neat. Try adding a small amount of water and then taking time, you should find that after 10 minutes the flavour will subtly change and keep changing over the next hour, taking time shows the complexity and this really is a reference whisky for showing how flavour and character can develop in the glass. Imho Clynelish needs a small amount of water (up to teaspoon per dram but start with a few drops) to reveal flavours and complexity. I find that at some point during the journey, the flavours hit a sweet spot for me, sadly, the dram suddenly evaporates in the glass as it is empty. Give it a try. I do agree with some comments, there us variability in quality, good bottles are fabulous and some are simply fair to good but at the price it sells for in the U.K it is fantastic value. I just wish they did not filter it to death and added colour. Diageo, really do NOT know their customers because I doubt a single repeat buyer of Clynelish would vote for chillfiltering and fake colour. P.s , I find Clynelish really does taste very different dependent on what you have eaten, even medication can make it taste strange. I had an operation with general anaesthetic and couldn’t enjoy Clynelish for several months afterwards, no other whisky in my collection did same.
Interesting comment about how Clynelish changes with food, medication, etc. The better bottlings do have a subtlety that I think would be easily affected by such things. As for the water, I've tried it with water, and it was lovely. I don't usually water my whiskies, but you're right, Clynelish does open up nicely with some water. I agree that it's good value, especially when compared to what else is available in the 14-16 year old range. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, flyinstructor!
Maybe not as good as it used to be but still very good for £35 in uk currently only Glencadam 10 beats it for price and enjoyment imho keep up the good work greetings from London 🍻
I agree, it's still worth grabbing so long as the price is reasonable. It outperforms a lot of its peers in that age range. Cheers from Taiwan! 🥃
'Fickle B*tch' is right. The presentation is exactly the same!
Very glad that Diageo are using water, at this particular distillery, that is subject to traditional and old-fashioned gravity. It is so much better than that water the flows uphill.
Good honest review Geoff, that is all we ask. Like others it seems, I've never got the waxiness on the standard bottling. Love the gags, and the tongue in cheeks. Keep 'em coming.
Lol cheers Dave! Appreciate it!
I think it is filtered, but not by much. Cask strength non chill filtered Clynelish is often misty/a little cloudy in the bottle. When I add water to the standard 14 I see scotch mist appearing every time. That and the 46% abv suggests to me that any filtering wasn't chilled.
Good to know. Thanks for sharing!
This has been my number one go to scotch for years now
It's a good one! Have you had any consistency issues with it?
@@Gwhisky I haven't. I've been lucky
I decided to give this another chance after giving it 84/100 a few years ago. I’m halfway through the new bottle and I still just don’t get it 🤷♂️ I feel like I’m missing something - it’s characterful but just kinda bland 83/100. Nice review always enjoy them!
Yeah I've come to realize some bottles are better than others and that they do have consistency issues. Still, I agree with you in the sense that I don't always understand the hype myself.
All Scotch in Canada is becoming much to expensive for the quality that we are getting. Love the stuff but the pocket book is not thick enough to drink that often any longer
Agree. No way I'd have this hobby if I still lived in Montreal. Things in Canada are usually about double the price I pay here in Taiwan. I've seen some bottles no less than triple my local prices!
When it's good it's good but I've had some mediocre bottles. What the hell is going on at that distillery? Talisker 10 will always be Diageo's number one for me. I pick it up for £30 a bottle. Oban 14 is a thing a thing of the past and Clynelish 14 has some issues. I'm hoping they're over that. There's a lot of good whisky at that price though and much that is cheaper. Talisker 10 is the go to.
I agree, Talisker 10 is by far the best value proposition from Diageo. But for a mainland highland offering, this one is still among the best. But yes, the inconsistency is frustrating. Cheers WT!
Would you say the subtle smoke is barrel char more than peat?
It’s an ok price here in Aus, but for the $100 range, there’s some other great drams I’d struggle to not grab over this.
Would love it if you got your hands on some great Aussie Whisky. We have a real heap that is just getting better and better!
Any TIB bottles Id highly recommend (Tasmanian Independent Bottlers ) by Tim Duckett.
I've been hearing good things about Aussie whisky for years now. I'm interested, but sadly there's just no way for me to get my hands on any. They have literally no presence in Taiwan as far as I can tell.
Clynelish is really popular with IBs right now. I wouldn't be surprised if barrel trading is digging into their own stocks.
Interesting, could be! That’s something to look out for, actually. I don't think I've ever had a Clynelish IB. Cheers Wade!
I am very torn about this bottle. When I first had it a couple years ago, I was blown away, it was so big and beautiful, rich, chocolate malt in the mid, and although the finish was short and .. well, ... dead, it was inoffensive and still very satisfying. Then, just a few months went by, and the bottle went completely flat, it lost all of it's flavour and became like an entry whisky. It was just awful. But it's the memory of it as its peak that keeps nudging me to revisit, I just don't know if it's worth it since I really take my time with my bottles, for budget and health reasons, and this just doesn't seem to last long in its "life" in the bottle. It's a very unusual and rather .. peculiar whisky. I guess for that reason alone one could say it's special. *Shrugs*
Well before we listen to online reviewers or the opinions of others, we should fall back on our own experience with a whisky. If you weren't sold on it now, there's a good chance you won't be now. In scenarios like this I'd suggest some kind of bottle split or sample if you get the chance...
For me it's the best entry level whisky out there, yeah it suffers from batch variations, i just had the new one and it was less waxie. BTW, you didn't mention the waxiness at all which is a bit weird since it's Clynelish main character. you can relly feel it at the finish.
It's definitely your palate that changes overtime, i remember your first Oban video, you weren't into it like you are now. our palate is a live animal, it keeps growing and changing overtime. that's the beauty of tasting whisky again after a couple of years.
I believe that if you'll try now some other maritime whiskies (not peated or slightly peated) you'll like them more today. you'll have a different appreciation for them. like say, an Old pulteney 17, Scapa 14 etc.
Btw, speaking of entry level whiskies, have you tried the Benrinnes 15? (f&f) for me it's one of the best entry level whiskies and i believe you'll love it. it's thick and complex, sherried and a little smokey, sweet and salty. the best out of the current f&f lineup.
Yes, my palate is constantly changing. My preference can change with my mood, the seasons, what I've eaten. Loads of factors. That's part of the fun!
You're right, I didn't discuss waxiness in here. Definitely should have. Yes, it's less waxy that it's previous iterations. It's got a decent mouthfeel and the majority of the flavours are still there, but the waxiness is barely there at all anymore. Shame.
I loved Old Pulteney 17 and 21 back in the day. Gorgeous whiskies and sorely missed. I like the new 15, and to a lesser extent the 18, but they don't need that bump of sherry. OP is at its best when it's bourbon matured, where those salty buttery bright coastal notes can shine.
Benrinnes 15 is my favourite F&F! Characterful and meatier than any Mortlach on the market today. Huge fan of that one
Question: How did you read my mind and where can I learn this power?
@@Gwhisky
At my whisky cabinets of course 😉
I am glad you are enjoying the current bottle, but that is really a little disconcerting that you had that much variation between the two bottles. Variation between picks, small batches or single barrels are to be expected and frankly celebrated as are the idiosyncrasies of annual releases. But I would expect the regular expression (especially the entry level release) to be better blended for rock solid consistency, especially when production batch or date are not clearly labeled. I am looking for a particular repeatable dram experience, not a lottery ticket...
Well said. I don't mind batches as long as a) the general quality is high between batches, and b) there's a clear way to discern them. Sadly not the case jere, although it's still wonderful stuff. 🥃
Is there any batch number or some etched markings you can read? That normally is a great pointer!! Like when I buy my Lagavulin 16 it is a great guide! because they have etched numbers on the bottle and on the inside sleeve they have a date of production very cleverly printed!
Sadly this bottle is long gone. 🥃
Good call.
Thanks John! 🥃
I find the Clynelish 14 very similar to Hazelburn 10, but slightly better.
Clynelish 14 is $105 in Ontario and Oban 14 $180.
Yeah I was just at the LCBO a few mins ago and I saw that. Absurd. They're the same price in Taiwan.
Very interested in trying this- for I loved the waxy character of Johnnie walker platinum, though have not tried many highlands except Glenmorrangie which I cannot stand. Is this pretty far off from Glenmorrangie? If so gonna buy,
It's a very "highland" profile, but quite different from Glenmorangie. Worth trying! 🥃
Really like Oban 14. Just picked up the C14 but havent tried it yet. In my area Oban 14 costs less than $5 more than C14.. Considering the small price difference, which do you think is best? Thank you so much for your videos.
Thanks for the kind words, Alberto. I'm a bigger fan of the Oban, personally. I prefer the salty maritime character.
Worth trying for $60 at my store.
Not a fan at all of recent batches of the 14, quality has fallen off a cliff - thin, stale (?tired casks) and almost a complete lack of the signature waxy and citrus notes, in fact tastes nothing like a decent Clynelish and I say that as someone who ranks the distillery in my all time top 3.
That sounds a lot closer to the bottle I had last year. The one I have here is better, but the waxiness is almost undetectable. Definitely a huge drop in consistency.
olso sugestion vor you little gem whisky botttle knockando 18 its very good olso low price 60 or 70 bucks depend where you live i know you are going to like this bottle its cheap en good i am not goining to recommend high end bottles who i have becouse i know you like the cheaper ones 😜
Is it similar to Tombermory 12? You mentioned floral, barley sugar, apricots, sounds similar.
It's quite different. It's brighter with more complexity.
I hate that I love Lagavulin. Still I try to avoid Diageo bottles as much as I can. They’re not deserving of my money.
So many great Diageo distilleries. The prices and the specs leave much to be desired, but there are a few brands that I love too much to abandon. At least not yet. The price hikes are making it easier to say no, though. 🥃
@@Gwhisky I know. But I haven’t been into whisky that long (although it feels like forever because I got way too obsessed lol), so there are still plenty of excellent non diageo distilleries I need to try. They will all come first.
Oban and Clynelish unpeated? Aren't they both lightly peated, highlanders?
Neither are peated. If you think you're getting that its most definitely cask.
@andrewlordon8734 Oban is definitely peated, just check out their own website.
I always thought Clynlish was very lightly peated as well but haven't found anything definitive to confirm it.
The colouring is a real shame. The distillery is in a beautiful setting, the place is incredible. That said, it feels extremely commercial, more so than most.
My current non peat favourite is Kingsbarns Dream to Dram 😍
Yeah, I think Clynelish is a major contributor to the Johnnie Walkers, so it's a big cash cow for Diageo, regardless of how it performs as a single malt. That might explain why it felt so commercial.
I'll have to lookout for Dream to Dram. Thanks for the recommendation Lee!
@@Gwhisky That's right. It's not near as theatrical as the Johnnie Walker experience though! 😅
The only thing consistent with Clynelish 14 is inconsistency 😏
Shame..
Have enjoyed this in the past. No reason to buy this anymore … there are so many better alternatives be it Arran, Glencadam, Craigallachie, Blablair, Old Pulteney (15 is yum) … and frankly if you are looking for fruity & floral characters in whisky, there is no better value than Compass Box Orchard House 😋
I've been waiting and waiting for Orchard House to make an appearance here in Taiwan. Ever since Andy from Malt Box starting raving about it I've been on the lookout for a bottle. Someday!
Shame....this was a classic 90 score over many years....real shame
Was never that high for me. I think the good batches are still on par with the older stuff. Just a bit riskier these days. Cheers Andy.
87 is nice score indeeth i give it my self olso 87 or 86 oban 14 is olso nice one the only 2 good bottles from Diageo's😆😆😅 the only 2 bottles who i buy from them Diageo's i hate always low 40 procent no integerity whisky only thos 2 are good clynelish 14 have a special place in my heart i think its the best Diageo's botteling bud now i am laying i olso like the sigleton 18 years old why i like it its only 40 procent its collard yes i think the taste of sigleton 18 is not bad the fackt you pay 60 euro vor it its 18 years old taste is not bad i have always a sigleton 18 on my shelf sometimes i want somthing old bud donth have the time to really enjoi a good old dram then i take the sigleton 18 my question vor you is please help me out do you want to do a review of the sigleton 18 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 i cant thank you enough then if you want to do it sigleton 18 review
What’s your least favorite whisky????
I had a NAS Grangestone (undisclosed) whisky that was abysmal about three or four years ago. Now I've had worse, but I mean for a single malt scotch that's marketed as the real deal, that was pretty rough. How about you?
@@Gwhisky worst I’ve tried was Hawaiian Old Pali Road American whiskey . It was like water with absolutely 0 finish.
@@aframs-cctaf-rams-cct6424 Never heard of it. Thankfully.