

Clynelish
/cline-LEESH/
Islay, Scotland · Founded in 1819
Clynelish is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky distillery with a rich and complex history stretching back to 1819. It was founded by the Marquis of Stafford — later the first Duke of Sutherland — in the village of Brora on the northeastern coast of Scotland. The distillery changed hands several times in its early years, including a bankruptcy by its first licensed distiller, James Harper, in 1827, and a sale in 1846. In 1967, a brand-new distillery was built right next to the original site, which was subsequently mothballed. The original site would later reopen under the name Brora, giving rise to two distinct distillery legacies sharing the same historic roots. The current Clynelish distillery, operational since 1967, produces a signature waxy, coastal Highland single malt that has earned a devoted following among whisky enthusiasts. Its spirit is known for its distinctly oily and honeyed character, with notes of coastal brine, beeswax, and stone fruits. Clynelish single malt has been bottled under various age statements and expressions over the years, with Ainslie & Heilbron marketing it as a single malt brand as far back as the 1950s, offering 5, 8, and 12 year old bottlings.
Portfolio (140)
Distilleries
Info
- Country
- Scotland
- Region
- Islay
- Founded
- 1819