Clynelish 10 Year Old Special Releases 2023 "The Jazz Crescendo" Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml

Clynelish was built in 1962 specifically to expand capacity for, and eventually succeed, the legendary Brora distillery — a deep historical link that still runs through everything Clynelish makes today. The distillery's Lomond wash still produces a genuinely distinctive quirk: natural wax esters, giving Clynelish its unmistakable, honeyed, waxy texture, considered one of the most unique house styles anywhere in the Highlands, and a cornerstone flavor within Johnnie Walker's own blends. This 10-Year-Old is part of Diageo's 2023 Special Releases collection, an annual, limited assortment of cask-strength single malts, released that year under the theme "Spirited Xchange" — the first collection curated entirely by Master Blender Dr. Stuart Morrison.

Christened "The Jazz Crescendo," this release leans fully into a genuinely creative concept: "the alluring rhythmic beat of a sweetly honeyed bass anchors a richly composed melody," Diageo's own copy reads. "Gradually, from this sea of smooth harmonies, there comes a call to transcend scales. A solo breaks free, its golden, shimmering tones rising to sublime heights in a haunting, captivating hymn to jazz." Matured exclusively in first-fill ex-bourbon American oak casks — a genuine departure from a sherry-finished 12-Year release the year before — and bottled uncut at natural cask strength, 57.5% ABV.

WhiskyNotes' independent review found "a very rounded profile" opening on "honeyed cereals, vanilla and the expected candle wax," developing into "oranges, bananas, charred pineapple and lemon candy," alongside "a slightly dusty hint of wood and mild pepper," concluding: "I have to admit I wasn't against the previous profile, although this could definitely be more typical" — a positive, if measured, take. Whiskylifestyle's review was considerably more enthusiastic, describing "a lovely wax note, mixed with sweet oranges and lemons, vanilla and honeycomb," an "oily mouthfeel" delivering "oranges and a lovely tropical note, leaning towards pineapple and passion fruit," concluding flatly: "oh, this is really good!... so much better than last year's edition. And my favourite of all 8 releases of this year!" One independent side-by-side comparison against the standard-release Clynelish 14 found the 14 slightly more complex overall, though the reviewer was clear: "I don't think this 10-year-old special release is disappointing... if whisky is about bringing joy, then Clynelish 14 is a clear winner to me" — a genuinely fair, honest framing rather than a knock against this release. The Whisky Exchange's Dawn Davies MW called it "a rich and elegant malt with aromas of caramel, vanilla pods and honeycomb, followed by its classic waxy character." This is a genuine cask-strength showcase of one of the Highlands' most distinctive house styles, from a genuinely limited annual collection.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Clynelish Distillery is located on the Sutherland coast in the Scottish Highlands, built in 1962 specifically to expand capacity for, and eventually succeed, the historic and now-legendary Brora distillery — the two sites share deep, intertwined history. Clynelish's distinctive Lomond wash still produces natural wax esters during distillation, giving the whisky its signature waxy texture, one of the most recognizable house styles among Highland single malts and a foundational component of Johnnie Walker's blends.

This 10-Year-Old is part of Diageo's Special Releases 2023 collection, an annual, limited-edition lineup of eight cask-strength collectible Scotch whiskies released under the theme "Spirited Xchange" — the first such collection curated in full by Master Blender Dr. Stuart Morrison. Matured exclusively in first-fill ex-bourbon American oak casks for the full 10 years, the whiskey is bottled uncut at natural cask strength, 57.5% ABV / 115 proof. Released via malts.com in September 2023, followed by specialist retailers that October, with limited availability.

Critics Reviews

No formal numerical critic score from a major spirits publication is confirmed for this product at this time.

WhiskyNotes (extended independent review):
"After the sherry finished Clynelish 12 Years of last year, Diageo is presenting a naked Clynelish 10 Year Old as part of the 2023 Special Releases. It is matured in first-fill bourbon casks. Nose: a very rounded profile on honeyed cereals, vanilla and the expected candle wax. Then oranges, bananas, charred pineapple and lemon candy appear, alongside a slightly dusty hint of wood and mild pepper. A little grape sweetness and honey, as well as a hint of beach sand and fresh mint. Nice and clean. Mouth: lemons, rhubarb, blood orange and small berries."

Whiskylifestyle (extended independent review):
"This Clynelish has matured in first-fill ex-bourbon casks for 10 years, before being bottled at a strength of 57.5% ABV. Nose: a lovely wax note, mixed with sweet oranges and lemons. Vanilla and honeycomb. A mineral note and coconut. Taste: An oily mouthfeel. Oranges and a lovely tropical note, leaning towards pineapple and passion fruit. Oh, this is really good! A hint of wax. Lemon tea infused with honey. Vanilla. Followed by a hint of black pepper. Finish: long with wax, black pepper, pink grapefruit, vanilla, and a pinch of sea salt. So much better than last year's edition. And my favourite of all 8 releases of this year!"

Girl With Cask Strength (extended independent comparative review):
"Clynelish 14 is fruity in a slightly different way, with a bit of raisins, honey, and nutty notes in addition to citrus. It's more waxy on the palate with hints of brine and sea salt, and it has a longer finish too. To be clear, I don't think this 10-year-old special release is disappointing. To some extent, I don't even think these two expressions are comparable."

Dawn Davies MW, The Whisky Exchange:
"This is a rich and elegant malt with aromas of caramel, vanilla pods and honeycomb, followed by its classic waxy character."

Diageo (official tasting notes):
"Nose: A mellow, crisp nose with quite some impact. The top notes are very faintly waxy but are mainly mineral and maritime, suggesting soft sea breezes, slaked lime and salt crystals; the mid-notes become sweeter, hinting at dusty heather pollen, while the base is lightly woody and earthy, the earth faintly scorched. Late on, the aromas become rounder, with a toffee-sweet sultriness. Taste: Smooth and sure, the vanilla-sweet, rich and powerful taste is soon shaped by a hint of saltiness and a soaring peppery solo that reaches its smooth crescendo in the long, spicy finish."

Tasting Profile

Nose
A mellow, rounded profile of honeyed cereal, vanilla, and classic Clynelish candle wax, joined by orange, banana, charred pineapple, and lemon candy. Mineral and maritime top notes suggest soft sea breezes and salt crystals, with dusty heather pollen and a faintly scorched earthiness underneath.

Palate
Smooth and sure, vanilla-sweet and rich, delivering salted caramel, white pepper, nectarine, milk chocolate, and a touch of nuttiness. An oily mouthfeel carries orange and tropical fruit — pineapple and passion fruit — alongside lemon tea infused with honey and a building hint of black pepper.

Finish
Long and spicy, closing with lingering wax, black pepper, pink grapefruit, vanilla, and a pinch of sea salt — a genuinely soaring, peppery close reflecting the whisky's full cask strength.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Grilled or smoked seafood
• Aged hard cheeses
• Citrus-based desserts
• Dark chocolate