26.228 Harmoniously Balanced

Clynelish 14 Year Old 2010, Scotch Malt Whisky Society cask 26.228 Harmoniously Balanced, is a single cask single malt Scotch from the Clynelish distillery in the Highland region (SMWS distillery code 26). Distilled on 2 November 2010, it was matured for 14 years in a refill ex-bourbon hogshead and bottled at a natural cask strength of 54.7% ABV, with an outturn of just 267 bottles. It comes in a 700ml bottle. The Society places it in its Juicy, oak & vanilla flavour profile, and its Tasting Panel describes an elegant, floral dram where honeysuckle and fresh fruit meet honeyed, herbal depth once water is added. Like every SMWS bottling it is presented at cask strength without chill filtration, and the label carries the Society's cask code rather than the distillery name.

Nose: Roses, violets and jasmine alongside sweet, fruity honeysuckle blossom

Palate: Old-fashioned lemonade, honeydew melon and tropical fruit granola; water brings heather honey, pineapple tepache, chamomile-mint tea, malted buttermilk biscuits and spiced orange marmalade

Serve: Neat first, then with a few drops of water to open it up; at full cask strength it rewards patience.