Clynelish 1971 Mission Cask Strength Series 36 yo

 

 

 

51,5°

Distillery : Clynelish - Highlands

Bourbon Cask

Independent Bottling 

By Murray McDavid

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2007

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

I got my hands on a drop of this nectar the other day, and although it’s tricky with such a small amount, I’ve written a tasting note that aims to do it justice. It’s a Clynelish from the very early days – let’s not forget that this distillery began production in 1968. I’m not, of course, referring to the old Clynelish, the one that was renamed Brora after its name was stolen from it, and which closed in 1983, only to be miraculously revived 38 years later, but that’s another story. I’m talking about this distillery which is only 58 years old, that replaced another and took its name, because the latter was deemed too small and it would have been too expensive to renovate. It is therefore one of the earliest Clynelish whiskies, and one of the oldest, because a 36-year-old whisky isn’t something you find on every street corner. The maturation process is very simple, which puts the distillate centre stage, and only 265 bottles exist. And that’s when collectors go wild. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A powerful and luscious fruitiness, dates, grapes, soft bananas, Reine-Claude plums, and an exotic touch of mango and papaya, which clashes with a mineral hardness, flint, even granite. Baked apples, buttered and toasted bread, runny honey, warm wax, melted chocolate, liquorice, elegant oak, gunpowder. On the palate, the fruit blends with herbs, chives, black pepper, dried bananas, figs and candied lemon, juicy oranges and mandarins. Chocolate cake, sweet almonds. A very long, seemingly endless finish, oaky, peach stones, braised walnuts, earthy, tinder, black berries, and of course fruity, dried apricots, apple slices, candied plums. Tobacco crumbs on the retro-olfaction.

 

In Short, 

It’s quite fashionable to criticise Murray McDavid for his sometimes bizarre finishes, but they should be awarded a medal for services to humanity in recognition of bottlings such as this one. The nose is a fruity and honeyed explosion, with a distinctive touch of wax and flint. On the palate, it’s like velvety oil, and the finish is absolutely magnificent. This is a Clynelish very different from those we drink today, far less waxy and more fruity, with a more pronounced minerality. A piece of history, then, as well as a whisky of the very highest quality. If you decide to acquire this one, you’ll need a great deal of luck, and a banker with a sense of empathy, which is as rare as a flying hedgehog. 

Score : 92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                   To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                  Steve Rothery Band - White Pass

Balmenach 2008 The Art of Maturation Benchmark Collection Itinéraires 17 yo

 

 

 

54,5°

Distillery : Balmenach - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Murray McDavid  

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Balmenach was founded in 1824, and after being owned by Diageo between 1922 and 1997, it is now owned by Inver House Distillers, which also owns Balblair, Knockdhu, Pulteney and Speyburn. It is a renowned old school whisky, with long fermentation and worm tubs for steam. Original bottlings are extremely rare, with the last one dating back to 2002. Almost all of the production goes into blends, but some independent bottlings are highly regarded. This one has the merit of being rather old, and maturation in a first-fill bourbon barrel will allow the distillate to be fully appreciated. Only 150 bottles have been released for sale. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Leavened cereals, barley, wheat, millet, sweet butter, evanescent vanilla, acacia honey, egg custard, rustic woodiness, sweet potatoes. Slices of lime, large country bread, cut hay, liquorice stick, and a light pinch of fine salt. On the palate, it is more indulgent, Williams pear and Granny Smith apple, beeswax, more cereals, rice cake, runny caramel, ginger and cinnamon. The finish is rather pleasant, long and powerful, blond tobacco, dried fruit, resin, biscuits dipped in milk and a gentle saltiness. 

 

In Short, 

It is indeed a distinctive style, old-fashioned, light but with a certain character, and delicious fruit. I think that something interesting could be done with this distillate, we should be able to taste it more often. Now is a good opportunity, but unfortunately I find the price a bit steep. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Courtney Barnett - Depreston

Ledaig 2009 The Art of Maturation Benchmark Collection Itinéraires 16 yo

 

 

 

50,4°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

1st Fill Amontillado Octave Sherry Cask

Independent Bottling 

By Murray McDavid

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 37 ppm

 

 

 

Part of the Collection Itinéraires, this Ledaig has been aged in Amontillado sherry casks, a fairly dry sherry. Only 81 bottles have been produced, which is very few, and they are reserved for the French market.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is fruity and airy, coastal and cereal-like. Candied lemon, pomegranate and redcurrants, ripe pears overwhelmed by medicinal and salty peat, full of sea spray and seaweed. Evanescent iodine, and in the background, muesli and almond milk, beeswax. On the palate, a strong dose of peat at first, then quartz, salt, and gradually, pastry cream, citrus coulis, passion fruit. Discreet spices. Quite a long finish, almost explosive, liquorice, blond tobacco, ash and seaweed, unrefined sea salt. Mussels and rice powder.

 

In Short, 

Despite the strong influence of sherry, this Ledaig retains its character, softened only slightly by a parade of ripe, sometimes candied fruits. There is a beautiful balance and variety of flavours between the sweetness of the fruit and the mineral roughness. This will appeal to any self-respecting fan of the distillery, without being a masterpiece. It is neither quite as assertive nor as subtle as that. But it is still an enjoyable experience. The price is quite high, as evidenced by the fact that it is not yet sold out despite the small number of bottles available. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Rocket - Another Second Chance

Tobermory 1995 The Art of Maturation Mission Gold 28 yo

 

 

 

49,8°

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

Bourbon Hogsheads and Red Wine Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Murray McDavid 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Built on the Isle of Mull, the Tobermory distillery is less well known for its unpeated whisky, which is nevertheless of high quality, especially at the ripe old age of 28 years. This one was first matured for 16 years in two Bourbon Hogsheads, then for 12 years in three Red Wine Barriques. This gives us a total of 573 bottles.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The wine casks bring velvety smoothness and mellowness, dried dates, bananas and delicately toasted wood. It is slightly vinous, but there is a nice balance. Redcurrants and pomegranates, goji berries, dark tobacco, salted butter caramel. On the palate, it is oily, but also slightly acidic. The fruit is a little less noticeable, softened by delicate woodiness and salty notes. Black berries, very ripe peaches, measured spices. The finish is quite long without being explosive, dark chocolate, dried fruit, apricots, candied cherries, walnuts and hazelnuts. Another tiny coastal touch. Sea spray.

 

In Short, 

It is very pleasant, with a nice balance despite its very slight acidity on the palate. The wine casks add fruitiness and smoothness without detracting from the distillate. Overall, it is rather well crafted and a great find for enthusiasts. The price is high, however, but that's the market. If you like it, you don't count the cost.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Ilaria Argento - Whisper My Name

Highland Park 2006 The Art of Maturation Mission Gold 18 yo

 

 

 

57,2°

Distillery : Highland Park - Islands

Oloroso Sherry Octave Finish

Independant Bottling 

By Murray McDavid 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 20 ppm

 

 

 

This 18-year-old Highland Park was finished in Octave casks of Oloroso sherry, which are small casks of less than 100 litres that allow for more intense interaction between the wood and the spirit. As proof of this, only three casks were used, resulting in a total of just 271 bottles available. I would have liked to know how long the finishing process lasted, but this information is unavailable. Not to be confused with another Highland Park from the same bottler, distilled the same year, with the same age, but reserved for The Old Bank of England, which is a renowned bar in London. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Delicate and floral peat envelops sweet fruits, quinces, dates, greengages, banana, salted butter caramel, melted milk chocolate, roasted hazelnuts, nougatine, very light minerality and a hint of iodine, a grain of sea salt. On the palate, it is more fruity, with ripe mirabelle plums, juicy pears and fresh figs, sprinkled with cocoa powder, peanut crumbs and cinnamon. Spices that revive a herbaceous peat, hot stones tinged with soot. The finish offers cereals mixed with honey, ash-covered bark and heather, almond paste and sea salt.

 

In Short, 

A superb balance between sweet sherry and very controlled peat, subtle coastal nuances and floral notes in the background. For me, as a long-time fan of this distillery, it's perfect, everything works. Except for the price, which I find very exaggerated, given that it's not a single cask.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Ihlo- Mute

Bowmore 2001 The Art of Maturation Mission Gold 23 yo

 

 

 

50,3°

Distillery : Bowmore - Islay

Bourbon Hogshead and 1st Fill Port Pipe Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Murray McDavid

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 25 ppm

 

 

 

A 23-year-old Bowmore is the kind of thing that enthusiasts seek out. But this one has been finished in a first-fill port pipe, and you could say that it's not really a finish, since it lasted 15 years, which means that the second maturation is almost twice as long as the first. Personally, I really appreciate aging in port casks, so I'm interested in this anyway. 876 bottles have been released for sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The influence of port is a bit strong, with redcurrant candy, muscat grapes, pomegranate seeds, dragon fruit, candied cherries, cocoa powder. The peat is very light and enhances the woody notes, caramelized charcoal, pine resin, cooked mushrooms. Red fruit clafoutis, very slight salinity. On the palate, it is spicy, the peat is thicker, herbal, carrying clods of earth, black berries, dark chocolate, blueberry juice, raw ginger. Long and explosive finish, peat saturated with lignite, chocolate fondant, coffee muffin, soft toffee, salted butter caramel, a hint of minerality, quartz.

 

In Short, 

It's quite successful, the port goes very well with the Bowmore profile, even if it loses some of its identity, which was to be expected. That said, I would have liked a little more fruit. Unfortunately, the price is far too high, Bowmore has become an overly expensive distillery, which is very regrettable. 

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Anna Calvi - Love Won't Be Leaving

Braes of Glenlivet 1991 The Art of Maturation Mission Gold 32 yo

 

 

 

41,1°

Distillery : Braeval - Speyside

Bourbon Hogsheads and 1st Fill Margaux Wine Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Murray McDavid 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Braeval, formerly known as Braes of Glenlivet, was specially conceived to nourish blends, particularly Chivas. Nevertheless, independent bottlings regularly appear on the market, such as this one, which has the particularity of having undergone a 4-year finish in 1st Fill Margaux Wine Barriques. It is a blending of 4 casks, and yet it gave only 690 bottles, so I'm wondering wether this is 4 Bourbon Hogsheads finished in 4 Margaux Wine Casks, or 2 Bourbon Hogsheads and 2 Margaux Wine Casks. The latest hypothesis seems more logical, but you never know for sure. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Nose with a certain delicacy, but where the red fruits prevail, redcurrants, pomegranate, slightly acid cranberries, solvent, pomade. In the background, some vanilla cereals, raspberry muffin, a hint of ether and iodine. The palate, on the other hand, is lighter and more wine-like, with tannins and somewhat heavy fruit, lively spices, cooked mushrooms and soggy wood. The finish is light but very long, very woody, candied fruit, cereals and brioche, cola, nutmeg, a pinch of salt.

 

In Short, 

I really liked the nose, which seemed very well-balanced and original, but the palate and finish were a little less successful, more timid and light. All the same, this is a very good bottling, at a price that I find exaggerated, but what can you say, that's the market.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Adrian Quesada - Hoy Que Llueve

Cameronbridge 1992 The Art of Maturation Mission Gold 32 yo

 

 

 

47,5°

Distillery : Cameronbridge - Lowlands

Bourbon Barrels and Uitvlugt Rum Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Murray McDavid 

Limited Edition 

Single Grain

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

As part of the Mission Gold range, which brings together the finest casks in their possession, Murray McDavid is launching this 32-year-old Cameronbridge, finished in Rum casks from the famous Uitvlugt distillery, which closed in 2000. Three different Barrels were used to make 720 bottles. It is therefore a Single Grain, but not a Single Cask. On the other hand, it does appear to be a Cask Strength, despite the low alcohol content, as confirmed by at least two sales websites.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's very well balanced, the cane sugar meeting rough wood and grainy cereals, muesli, puffed rice, mixed with honey and melted butter. Beeswax, lychee and a few floral notes. Fine vanilla and candied banana slices. Dates and other dried fruits, a pinch of icing sugar. It's slightly lighter on the palate, grapefruit, rosewater, diluted caramel. Very light spices. The finish is not very violent but very long, shortbread biscuits, coconut, a knob of pomade, discreet exotic fragrances. Rooty notes.

 

In Short, 

The grain here is softened by the Rum, and the whole is blended into a very nice balance. I really liked it, even though I'm not a fan of Rum casks at all. It's a very nice curiosity, worth trying if you can afford it. The price seems right for what it is, but it's expensive anyway.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           DieveNoire - Morning Star 

Ledaig 2009 The Art of Maturation Benchmark 15 yo

 

 

 

53,2° 

Distillery : Tobermory - Islands

Bourbon Hogsheads and 1st fill Murça Tawny Port Finish

Independent Bottling

By Murray McDavid

Limited Édition 

Single Malt

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 37 ppm

Murray McDavid is an independent bottler that has been in business since 1994. Their The Art of Maturation range features some daring blends. Here, this Ledaig spent 13 years in 5 Bourbon Hogsheads, followed by 2 years in Tawny Port casks. This gives a total of 1,547 bottles. I'm not entirely sure that the juice is Cask Strength, only one sales website mentions it, but it's in accordance with the alcohol content.

Let's Taste It : 

Chimney fire, iodised freshness, almost velvety, black cherries and gooseberries. Perfectly integrated alcohol, damsons, cranberry tart, pastry cream, strawberry jam. On the palate, gooseberry and raspberry juice, peppery on the finish, tinder and walnut wood. It is syrupy and silky, honeyed and slightly herbaceous. The finish is close to perfection, with grilled sausages, notes of charcoal coated in meat juice, liquorice covered in treacle, fudge, figs and dried bananas.

In Short, 

It's a very good Ledaig, the peat and alcohol are perfectly integrated, and go very well with the Port. I gave it to a whisky lover who doesn't like peat and she thought it was excellent. Only Ledaig and Port Charlotte can produce such fine blends, despite the presence of a lot of peat. The price is a little high, but in line with the current market.

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Amenra - A Solitary Reign

Caol Ila 1990 The Syndicate's 26 yo

 

 

 

50,4°

Distillery : Caol Ila - Islay

Bourbon Cask

Independent Bottling

By Murray McDavid

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2016

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 35 ppm

 

 

 

The Syndicate's range offers top-of-the-range bottlings of whiskies produced on Islay and bottled at the Bruichladdich distillery. Indeed, the founder of Murray McDavid is also the man who bought Bruichladdich in 2000 and brought it back to life, Mark Reynier. Here, we have a single bourbon cask, which gave 188 bottles of a 26-year-old from a very prestigious distillery.
 

Let's Taste It :

Very gentle influence of bourbon, vanilla, mirabelle plums, white grapes, pear juice. Light, slightly salty breeze of smoke. Granular peat. With the addition of water, it becomes fuller. Iodine, limestone, dust, fresh sea breeze. Very light honey. Eucalyptus. Icing sugar, pastry cream. A lemon zest. The latter takes over on the palate, with a touch of peat and spices, liquid honey, damp wood, genoise, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, sandalwood leaf, saffron, white chocolate, chicory. Slightly acidic finish, quite long nonetheless, grapefruit pulp, a hint of blood orange, with a very slight bitterness.

 

In Short, 

An excellent product, very smooth and complex, although I have a small reservation about the bitter finish, dominated by grapefruit. The rest is perfect and very intense, so those who don't mind the bitterness can go for it with their eyes closed.

Score : 89

                                          To Be Listened While Sipping :

   

                                          Nick Drake - I Was Made To Love Magic