Clynelish is one of those distilleries that bartenders talk about more than casual drinkers, and that's a shame. This 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish, part of Diageo's 2022 Special Releases lineup, is exactly the kind of bottle that deserves a wider audience. At 58.5% ABV and with a sherry cask finish layered over what I'd expect is the distillery's signature waxy, slightly coastal spirit, this is Highland whisky with real ambition.
Let me be upfront: I'm a sucker for Special Releases season. Every year Diageo opens up the vaults and lets some of their more under-the-radar distilleries show off, and Clynelish consistently punches above its weight in that lineup. At £175, you're paying a premium, but you're also getting cask-strength whisky with a finishing treatment that adds genuine complexity rather than just masking the base spirit.
What to Expect
The sherry cask finish is the story here. A 12-year-old Highland malt at this proof is going to deliver intensity — there's no getting around 58.5% ABV, and honestly, I wouldn't want to. Cask strength means you're getting the whisky as close to the barrel as possible, and the sherry influence should bring dried fruit sweetness, spice, and depth to whatever the core maturation established. Clynelish has a reputation for a waxy, almost honeyed texture that plays beautifully against richer cask finishes, and at this strength you can add water gradually and watch the whisky open up in stages. That's half the fun.
This isn't a beginner's dram. The ABV alone will tell you that. But if you've been drinking whisky for a while and you want something that rewards attention, this 2022 release is built for exactly that kind of slow, deliberate tasting session.
The Verdict
I rate this an 8 out of 10, and here's why: the combination of a quality Highland distillery, a well-chosen sherry cask finish, cask-strength bottling, and the prestige of the Special Releases series adds up to a whisky that delivers on its promise. Is £175 a lot of money? Yes. But in the context of limited annual releases at natural strength, it's actually reasonable — some bottles in the same lineup cost twice that and offer less character. The 12-year age statement is honest too. This isn't trying to impress you with a big number; it's letting the cask work and the proof do the talking.
What holds it back from a 9 is the price barrier for everyday drinking. This is a bottle you'll save for occasions, not one you'll pour on a Tuesday. But for what it is — a showcase release from a distillery that deserves more recognition — it earns its score comfortably.
Best Served
Pour this neat in a Glencairn and give it five minutes to breathe. Then add water — literally a few drops at a time. At 58.5%, the whisky will transform with each addition, and finding your personal sweet spot is part of the experience. I'd suggest starting with five or six drops and working from there. If you're feeling adventurous, this kind of sherried, cask-strength malt makes a genuinely spectacular Rob Roy — the vermouth and the sherry influence will sing together. But honestly, a bottle at this price and this quality? Drink it neat first. You owe it that much respect.
