Two 12-Year Single Malts: Amarone-Finished Glen Spey vs New-Oak Clynelish

Two 12-Year-Old Single Malts, Two Contrasting Maturation Stories from The Caskhound

The Caskhound presents a compelling double release showcasing two distinct expressions of 12-year-old Scotch whisky: Glen Spey 12 Years Old 2014 Tilo’s Proof #13 The Caskhound and Clynelish 12 Years Old 2013 Legends At The Bar Chapter 2 The Caskhound . Both single cask, cask strength bottlings reveal how maturation choices shape character. The Glen Spey 2014, part of the Tilo’s Proof series, benefits from a one-year finish in a first-fill Amarone barrique. In contrast, the Clynelish 2013, from the Legends at the Bar series, is fully matured in a new wood hogshead, delivering markedly different flavor profiles.

Maturation & Flavor Profile

The Glen Spey 2014 was aged eleven years in an ex-bourbon cask before spending a final 12 months in the Italian Amarone wine barrique. This finish adds a dark, sensual depth with opulent fruit notes that enhance the distillery’s delicate floral spirit. Meanwhile, the Clynelish 2013’s full twelve-year maturation in a new wood hogshead imparts vanilla, cinnamon bark, and warming spice, harmonized with Clynelish’s signature waxy, fruity, and maritime character. Both whiskies are unfiltered and bottled at natural cask strength.

• Glen Spey 2014
Nose: Freshly cut grass, green apple, beeswax, then Amarone’s ripe dark sour cherries, plums, blackberries, cocoa powder, and fine leather. Water reveals raspberry jam, nutmeg, and vanilla.
Palate: Full-bodied with an oily texture; warm fruit sweetness featuring sour cherry, fig, plum compote; subtle bourbon vanilla and nutty notes; Amarone tannins bring structure with dark chocolate, oak spices, and white pepper.
Finish: Medium to long, dry-fruity with dried sour cherry, cocoa, grassy floral notes, wood spices, and a light nutty aftertaste.

• Clynelish 2013
Nose: Initial alcoholic warmth; fresh sawdust, cinnamon stick, tonka bean; classic beeswax, heather honey, candle wax; candied orange, ripe pear, apricot. Water enhances waxiness and delicate floral notes.
Palate: Oily and mouth-filling; sweet honeycomb, caramel, vanilla cream; virgin oak cinnamon bark, clove, light tannins; typical Clynelish peach, mango, dried apricot. Water softens and highlights wax character.
Finish: Long and warming with chili pepper fading to drying tannins, caramel, and a final waxy note.

Release & Availability

Glen Spey 12 Years Old 2014 Tilo’s Proof #13 The Caskhound is presented in a 700 ml bottle at 51.7% ABV, limited to 311 bottles, priced at €57.90 (RRP).
Clynelish 12 Years Old 2013 Legends At The Bar Chapter 2 The Caskhound comes as a 700 ml bottling at 57.3% ABV, limited to 276 bottles, with an MSRP of €87.50.

Both expressions are available through Spiritory and represent a nuanced journey into cask strength single malts shaped by distinct maturation choices. Whether you seek the floral elegance enriched by Amarone from Glen Spey or the bold spices and waxy seaside influence of Clynelish, these releases bring two unique Highland and Speyside stories to your collection.