.clynelish - 1997 - 15yo - the whisky cask

55,5% abv, €65, single malt, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: sweet, caramel, fruit, green apples
Palate: sweet, caramel, apples, white pepper
Finish: dry, long and unpleasant, sour, a hint of sweetness
Mark: +/++++

Conclusion: Again, nothing fancy. Too bad, because I am a big fan of the Clynelish products and had high expectations. This might just be a victim of an independent bottler stuck with an old and worn down cask.

More info: Distilled in 1997, matured in an ex-Bourbon cask, bottled in 2013.

.bunnahabhain 2001 - the whisky cask

57,9% abv, €56, single malt, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: green hard fruits, barely ripe apples and pears, but not sour, sweet, dried fruits, raisins, dried apple, apricots and a whiff of salt water
Palate: sweet, honey, floral, heather, dried fruits, raisins, apricots, red fruit, berries, ripe and sweet gooseberries, white pepper
Finish: sweet, firm, long, warm, white pepper
Mark: ++++/+

Conclusion: I like this one. She is not overly sherried, so there is still place to smell and taste the wonderful aromas of the Bunnahabhain signature itself. It makes me want to go back to Islay, finally have that tour at the distillery, taste and bring something special home with me.

More info: Distilled in 2001, matured in an ex-Sherry butt (my guess is a refill), bottled in 2013