Clynelish 12-year-old Special Release 2022 - Golden-eyed Guardian Clynelish 12-year Special Release 2022, known as "The Golden Eyed Guardian," is a limited edition of Scotch single malt whiskey from the Clynelish distillery in the Highlands region, released as part of Diageo's annual Special Releases series in 2022. This unique whiskey was initially aged for 12 years in refill American oak barrels, then finished for more than two years in Pedro Ximénez (PX) and Oloroso sherry barrels, giving it a rich, sweet and spicy character with hints of dark fruit and spices. The 0.7-liter bottle contains 58.5% ABV alcohol, presenting itself in an elegant, gold tube packaging with a Scottish wild cat (Felis Sylvestris) motif, symbolizing the mysterious distillery guard. Aroma and taste In the nose, the whiskey reveals sweet, fruity notes of fruit cake, brown sugar, cinnamon and red apples, with accents of caramelized fruit, panettone and subtle aromas of citrus, tobacco and tea leaves. The palate is dominated by a smooth, full texture with rich wine sweetness, cherries, prunes, pepper, vanilla and dark chocolate, enriched with spices, berries and notes of old wood, which creates a harmonious balance between the sweetness of sherry and the spiciness of oak. The finish is long and warm, with chili, pepper and drying, emphasizing the creamy smoothness and residual notes of spices, making it ideal for tasting in its pure form or with a little water that brings out the waxy accents typical of Clynelish.