Review 285. Clynelish 12 year old Thompson Brothers. 2026 release

If I were to ask you to  look back at epiphany whiskies throughout jour journey, I fancy my chances of Clynelish 14 being  one of those lightbulb moments. I know it was one for me. Laphroaig 10 was the first, all the way back to my student years. Then -  a decade or so later -  came Benromach, swiftly followed by Compass Box’ Spice Tree and sure enough, Clynelish 14.

Funnily, apart from Benromach, most of these expressions are now stashed away, living a happy life  in the nostalgia nook of my brain, as it’s been years since I last tried them. Laphroaig 10 simply stopped delivering years ago in my opinion, Spice Tree, despite recent releases, I don’t see much of it available in my neck of the woods, and as for Clynelish 14: my last bottle dates back from 2020 (according to my review on whiskybase) and was noticeably not as good as previous bottlings. Add to that that I’ve been staying well clear of anything official Diageo for several years now (a ban that will be lifted as soon as they stop fleecing their customers for anything with a bit of an age statement  - say 16  years and onwards;  not to mention the cash grab that has become of their special releases), and it’s easy to see how and why only Benromach still regularly finds its way into my cabinet these days.

Clynelish 12 year old Thompson Brothers. 2026 release. Matured in Dechar hogsheads and French and American Oak. 49,1% ABV, N.C., UCF,  613 bottles. App. €100

Me not buying official Diageo releases has zero impact or significance – I’m well aware.  And it’s not about  me making a statement or a ‘call to arms’. It’s not as if I ‘m taking a stance on top of a barricade shouting through a megaphone or anything. It’s just a personal decision as to where I like to spend my whisky money these day. Also, and this is the really important bit, it doesn’t mean I’m not keen on a  lot of their whiskies. Quite the opposite. Teaninich, Benrinnes,  Glen Elgin, Mannochmore, Glenlossie, Dailuaine… So many excellent whiskies and beautiful moments are connected to those distilleries, but almost always when I got to try indie versions from them. And exactly there lies the rub with Clynelish. In recent years it was ‘quite difficult’ (i.e. near impossible) to find indie versions of Clynelish. Or at least indies  bearing the actual word ‘Clynelish’  on a label as Diageo policy often stipulated that indies couldn’t use the name of the distillery and had to make do with ‘secret Highland distillery’ or bypassed things by putting an image of a cat on the label or some other bollocks of whatever. This, it seems, is changing again in the past year or so. As we now see more and more “official” independent Clynelish being released. A good example being this 12 year old released by Thompson Brothers earlier this year. Now, Thompson Brothers are a bottler who know their stuff as they are whisky enthusiasts themselves first and foremost and grew up surrounded by whisky. They translate this into their business by releasing good to excellent whisky at fair prices. So the chances of catching a dud when buying blind are close to nil. Still, this one does come with a bit of a hefty price tag, but when my buddy Joe suggested we’d split the bottle, I was easily persuaded. I may be an opinionated bugger with a few principles left, but often, when it comes to someone offering or suggesting whisky, I have about zero willpower… Let me know if this hits home, by the way.

Nose

Varnish/wood polish; leather. Quite a lot of (dried) fruit notes: plums, raisins, dried apricot, berries. All dense and quite ‘jammy’ with a distinct note of cherries and chocolate (reminding me of Mon Cherie bonbons). I’m not 100% sure wat the origins of those French oak casks were, but I do get a hint of cognac or Armagnac from this too.

Palate

Warming arrival. Gentle as well; yet also rich: dark fruit notes sitting on a full mouthfeel. There’s an oaky-woody note, alongside treacle and coffee making for a gentle, warming and frankly quite pleasant bitterness. With added water I’m picking up more spices and bitter chocolate.

Finish

Warm, woody and gently spicy.

Final thoughts

Not my ‘go to’ style of whisky these days, but I am very happy to have this one in the cabinet. I wouldn’t have guessed this to be a Clynelish should I be tasting this blind, mind you. Sure, there’s a wax – like polish note on the nose, but it doesn’t really transfer onto the palate or mouthfeel. So heads up if you’re keen on your Clynelish and are chasing that signature waxy note, as you might not fully get it with this one. That said: what you will find is a very good whisky regardless of any preconceptions or anticipations you might have. If anything, it delivers a spot on dram to keep you company as the seasons change. Warming, dense and rich yet still easy to sip. Not super complex but not an ‘obvious, straightforward or clear cut’ dram either. Two thumbs up and an easy 86/100.