Clynelish is one of those distilleries that serious whisky drinkers talk about in hushed tones. The 10 Year Old from the 2023 Special Releases lineup lands at a punchy 57.5% ABV, and at £155 it sits in that territory where you're paying for something genuinely limited rather than just a fancy box. This is a Highland single malt bottled as part of Diageo's annual Special Releases collection — a series that consistently turns heads, and this particular expression is no exception.
What to Expect
At 10 years old, this is young for a Special Release, and that's actually part of what makes it interesting. Clynelish has a reputation for a signature waxy, almost candle-like character that shows up regardless of age. At cask strength, you're getting that distillery DNA without any dilution smoothing over the edges. The high ABV means this one rewards patience — a few drops of water will open it up dramatically, and I'd strongly recommend experimenting with how much you add. It's the kind of dram that changes character in the glass over twenty minutes, which is exactly what you want when you're spending this kind of money.
The Highland provenance gives you a general expectation of balance — not as heavily peated as an Islay, not as delicate as a Lowland malt. Clynelish tends to sit in its own lane: robust, slightly coastal, with that trademark waxiness threading through everything. At 57.5%, expect intensity. This is not a gentle sipper straight from the bottle, and it's not trying to be.
The Verdict
I'm giving this a 7.7 out of 10. The cask strength bottling at a relatively young age is a bold move, and it pays off. You get raw distillery character that older, lower-proof expressions sometimes sand down. The £155 price point is fair for a Special Release — these are genuinely limited productions, and Clynelish doesn't appear in this series every year. It's not going to be the most complex whisky on your shelf, but it has personality and conviction. What it does, it does with confidence, and that counts for a lot in a market flooded with overpriced, underwhelming limited editions.
Where it loses half a point or so is simply on value. At this price, you're competing with some outstanding independently bottled Highland malts that offer similar intensity with more age. But if you're collecting Special Releases or you're a Clynelish fan, this is absolutely worth picking up. It's a faithful, uncompromising snapshot of what this distillery does at full power.
Best Served
Pour it neat and let it breathe for five minutes, then add water a few drops at a time until you find your sweet spot. At 57.5%, most people will want at least a splash. This is a contemplative dram — give it a proper Glencairn glass and some unhurried time. If you're feeling adventurous, try it in a Rob Roy: the cask strength stands up beautifully to sweet vermouth without getting lost, and the waxy backbone gives the cocktail a texture that standard-proof malts can't match.
