Clynelish Reserve (Game of Thrones-House Tyrell)

I really dislike these special Game of Thrones releases. Only a select few were actually good, and they came from Lagavulin and Talisker, which proves those two distilleries can't make a bad whisky. I believe I've tried the final one I was missing, the Clynelish Reserve from GOT's "House Tyrell". This "special" collection is so poor, you can still find bottles at The Whisky Exchange for 42 pounds. With that said, this one made a commendable effort. It's bottled at 51.2% abv and has a golden hue. The aroma is very fruity and sweet, with notes of pears, bananas, and strong mint candy. There's also wet grass and a pleasant chocolate fudge. A touch of soapiness and fabric softener are present, along with apple cider. It's actually a fresh, inviting scent, with a hint of bee honey. Upon the first taste, it's all about pears and apples. On the palate, it begins with thick honey, like a spoonful of bee honey mixed with coconut. A peach note is subtly present in the background. It's very fruity and easy to handle, even at 51.2% abv. The second sip was quite light and watery, a significant drop in quality. The peaches are still detectable, along with a very mild, faint spice. Apples appeared on the third sip. The finish isn't bad, but it's not particularly exciting either. It has notes of sawdust and ginger, leaving the mouth dry. This is a decent dram, and that's it. The second sip was even more woody, a term I dislike using, but it gave me the precise sensation of new lumber. Apples were also present. Overall, like most whiskies from this collection, this isn't awful, but it's not good either. It's very standard, perhaps pleasant, and definitely uninteresting. It's not the worst from the collection. It has a nice aroma, a very light palate, and a dull finish, for a whisky that barely scrapes by. My rating is 81 out of 100.

(Vita Dulcis Advent Calendar 10/24) Both the aroma and the taste present as a clear, vibrant, young whisky with a slight acidity, notes of raisins and bright orchard fruits. The palate feels very dry and hits hard, and the finish is somewhat harsh as well. It seems unbalanced and somehow incomplete, like a work in progress. A little water significantly calms it down and removes the intense dryness, making it much smoother and more approachable. Taste-wise, it's simply not to my preference. However, I must admit it becomes a bit more appealing gradually. Conclusion: not really my style, but at least it's quite potent and intense – the flavors just don't align well with my palate. I was actually surprised to learn this is a Clynelish, as many enjoy the 14-year-old (but I assume this NAS is quite different from the 14-year-old in age). I might have detected a few more aromas and flavors (like soy sauce on the palate, for instance) if I had examined it more closely, but I didn't really bother.

The aroma offered buttery biscuits, honeysuckle, lemons/peaches, moderate citrus, a hint of spice like cinnamon, white grapes, and pear at the finish... The taste was a pleasant, substantial, waxy coating on the palate. It's enjoyable straight, not too strong even at full proof. A rush of oranges, butter, ginger, black pepper, and hot red chilies. The finish was adequate, brief, and dry, with lingering waxiness and a bitter peel. White pepper and orange marmalade notes appeared. It was well-rounded. With a couple of water drops, the scent included tobacco, tea, and leather. The taste revealed more cream, buttery toffee, and caramel. The waxy quality lessened somewhat. Rated 3.5 out of 5. This isn't for newcomers. It's a good buy at its usual cost, but not at inflated secondary prices, unless you plan to flip it. This drink reminds me of "John the Fisherman" by Primus. Dense but really good.

Aromatic fruit on the nose, with mango, pineapple, and mandarin encircled by caramel, hazelnut, and wax. Let's also add some marshmallow and dried dates. It's sweet and silky, with a touch of minerality, very well-rounded. The mineral character is more noticeable on the palate, with a peppery kick that livens up the whisky, reviving the sweet balance of tropical fruit, hazelnuts, biscuits, and toffee. The alcohol content keeps things engaging, preventing a dull drinking experience. The finish is of moderate length, featuring hazelnuts, malt, and a citrus hint. The sophisticated character of Clynelish contrasts with the malt's youth, but the final outcome holds its own overall, partly due to the full alcohol content which also makes it enjoyable.

This is my initial proper tasting of this distillery, and yes, it's waxy. There's a clear aroma of melting candle, along with a hint of perfume and bitter marmalade. It tastes of malt, tamarind, black tea, and a touch of burnt match. It's rich, oily, and spicy. The aftertaste begins with a savory, smoldering wax, then turns sweet. Regardless of whether you disregard or embrace the marketing, this is a balanced, engaging whisky that requires your attention. You will certainly want more than one glass of this.

I was expecting Margery Tyrell: strong, lively, capable of charming you with a smile. Instead, it resembles Loras Tyrell: quite forgettable. It possesses the characteristic waxy texture of Clyneish, but it just seems unbalanced. It's hot initially, then suddenly a mossy flavor appears, followed by heat again. Appreciation to a friend for the generous sample. I had been wanting to sample the GoT releases, and I can check another one off my list. Thanks again!