One of the older malt distilleries in Scotland, Clynelish was founded in 1819 and, save for a brief hiatus in the 1930s, has continued to make whisky of the highest order. Long a component of The Johnnie Walker, the company officially took a stake in 1916. After the building of the new distillery and the demolition of the original Old Brora facility, current owners Diageo began putting out a 14-year single malt, but older bottlings have been nonexistent until now. This rare 18-year was distilled in 1995 and bottled exclusively for us. After a few minutes, the opening notes of crystallized ginger and watermelon Jolly Rancher turn to Granny Smith apple, banana, and pineapple rind. There is an unctuous quality to the palate, but it is reigned in by crisp acidity, leaving the slightly smoky malt and salted butter finish lingering.