Here are the two remaining whiskies from the Dalswinton series that we hadn’t reviewed before. Check the Claxton’s website for more backgound information on this series. Today we’re looking at the Clynelish 1993 and Bowmore 1992.

Clynelish 30 yo 1993 (44,5%, Claxton’s ‘Dalswinton series’ 2024, bourbon barrel)

Nose: pretty great, with a chalky and waxy start. Damp clay, with hints of bread dough and wet cellar. Then some dried herbs, ripe yellow (cider) apples, honeydew melon. Glorious hints of wax candles and dandelions. Subtle whiffs of honey, vanilla pods and lemon candy. There’s something of an ‘antique blend’ note as well.Mouth: definitely Clynelish. Still markedly waxy (or buttery), although the sweetness makes it rounder. Pears and melons, as well as some peaches. Orange and grapefruit peels, with some fennel and white pepper. Even a hint of aspirin, leaving a slight bitter footprint. Then subtle tobacco, hay and old wood.Finish: long and slightly dusty, on eucalyptus oil, oak and herbs. Hints of dried grass too.Pure Clynelish, with this lovely waxiness that’s so unique. Now on the palate it tends to become a tad austere with some bitterness creeping in. That’s where it lost a point. Overall a very good whisky though.

Bowmore 30 yo 1992 (43,5%, Claxton’s ‘Dalswinton series’ 2024, Oloroso sherry cask)

Nose: ashy and coastal. There’s camphor, iodine and eucalyptus, as well as some aniseed. Grassy smoke, with wet gravel and a little leather. Then increasing hints of vanilla, the scent of a pine forest and herbal notes. Roasted pineapple and mango are already around the corner, but doesn’t express itself fully.Mouth: now the tropical fruits come out more. Mango, pink grapefruit and sweet pineapple. Very thick and fatty, with waxy notes, vanilla and delicate smoke underneath. Then mildly medicinal notes, oak char, iodine and a floral edge. Not exactly powerful, but other than that this ticks all the boxes.Finish: long, with more tropical tartness, delicate hints of bandages and eucalyptus, as well as a chalky / waxy hint.The Oloroso sherry cask doesn’t leave a big footprint, but the tropical notes are always exciting. Very good, despite becoming a tad fragile at times. The Dalswinton series contains a few utterly delicious whiskies and together with the Springbank this Bowmore is one of my favourites. Score: 92/100