Clynelish 1996 18 años Single Malt Whisky

Clynelish Single Malt Whisky stands as one of the most esteemed and strategically vital distilleries within Diageo's portfolio, serving as a cornerstone malt for the iconic Johnnie Walker blended Scotch whisky range, particularly the prestigious Gold Label Reserve. The distillery's distinctive waxy, honeyed character has rendered it indispensable to master blenders for nearly two centuries. Dr. Jim Beveridge OBE, Diageo's Master Blender for over four decades, has been the guardian of Johnnie Walker's consistent quality and signature house style. As only the sixth Master Blender in the brand's 200-year history, Beveridge helms a team of 12 expert blenders while bearing ultimate responsibility for the world's best-selling Scotch whisky. Among all malt whiskies, Clynelish holds a privileged position in his blending repertoire, alongside Talisker, as his preferred foundation for crafting complex blends. In recognition of his monumental contributions to the Scotch whisky industry, Dr. Beveridge was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in June 2019, an honor that coincided with Diageo's bicentennial celebrations. The Clynelish distillery underwent a comprehensive year-long refurbishment in June 2017, emerging with state-of-the-art equipment including a 12.5-tonne full lauter mash tun, eight traditional wooden washbacks, and two stainless steel fermenters. The facility operates with three pairs of stills, offering panoramic views of Brora village and the North Sea from the stillhouse. Running seven days a week, the distillery produces approximately 4.8 million liters of new make spirit annually. Notably, around 6,000 casks of Clynelish spirit mature in the warehouses of its sister distillery Brora, which ceased operations but is now undergoing extensive restoration to reopen in 2020. The majority of Clynelish's maturation stock, however, rests in other Diageo facilities across Scotland. Clynelish's official bottlings showcase the distillery's elegant character, led by the benchmark 14-year-old expression and the Distiller's Edition, which receives a finishing period in Oloroso Seco sherry casks. The distillery has also featured prominently in Diageo's annual Special Releases, with the Clynelish Select Reserve appearing for two consecutive years. In a contemporary marketing highlight, spring 2019 saw the launch of the Game of Thrones Limited Edition Collection, featuring eight single malts—including a Clynelish bottling representing House Tyrell at 51.6% ABV, without age statement.