Clynelish 18 Year Old Diageo Special Release 2025 Review

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Clynelish 18 Year Old Diageo Special Release 2025 Review

Name: Clynelish Waxen Sun Review: 18 Year Special Release
Item: Clynelish 18 Year Old Diageo Special Release 2025 Review
Rating: 8
Author: Ed Leigh

What happens when Clynelish captures the elusive 'Pineapple Cut' and ages it for 18 years? This Special Release reveals tropical fruit magic in every dram.

by Ed Leigh
December 17, 2025

Ed Leigh is the founder of TopWhiskies.com and an expert in independent bottlers.

Tasting Notes:

About:

Clynelish Waxen Sun is an 18 Year Old limited edition and one of eight whiskies in Diageo’s Special Releases 2025. This spirit was take from an early distillation cut called the ‘Pineapple Cut’, and bottled at 51.5% ABV.

Appearance:

Very light gold, or sun-bleached straw. Tight beading around the rim of the glass and prominent legs down the side.

Nose:

Waxy lemon peel. Vanilla buttercream. Fruit salad with orange, apple, mango and pineapple all in a fruit syrup. A pebble like minerality. Oak and vanilla toward the back.

Palate:

Full mouthfeel, with a satisfyingly oily texture. Creamy, waxy. Citrus notes of lemon and orange meet ripe apple and pear. Vanilla and oak.

Finish:

Medium to long finish. Together with that waxy texture, orange and apple fade through cereal to end with oak and a hint of wood spice.

Comments:

Interestingly, this whisky had both the obvious hallmarks of Clynelish and the clear tropical fruit promised of the Cut, particularly on the nose.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Ed Leigh

Ed Leigh is a recognized authority on independent bottlers and artisan Scotch whisky. In 2019, he founded TopWhiskies.com, a specialist retailer dedicated to promoting these often family-run businesses and showcasing their small-batch releases. Based in London, Ed holds certifications in both wine and spirits from The Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

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