Clynelish Friends of the Classic Malts 12 Year Old, Sherry European Oak Cask, 2009, 46%

The original Clynelish distillery was built in 1819 by the reviled Duke of Sutherland as part of the infamous Highland Clearances project. It is somewhat satisfying then that it failed to make much of an impression during these early years, going through a long period of turmoil before finding its way into the hands of John Walker and DCL in 1930. This proved a real turning point though, and in 1967 a new distillery was built adjacent to the old one. This Clynelish 12 Year Old was bottled exclusively for the Friends of the Classic Malts in 2009, matured in European oak casks.