Clynelish Distillery

The story of Clynelish is inseparable from the story of Brora Distillery next door. The original Clynelish was built in 1819 by the Marquess of Stafford (1st Duke of Sutherland), producing whisky for over 140 years through various ownerships before passing to the Distillers Company Ltd. When demand for Scotch whisky surged sharply in the 1960s, DCL built a new, larger, and more modern Clynelish across the road in 1967 to meet the supply shortfall.

Both distilleries operated briefly and simultaneously as "Clynelish A" (the new 1967 plant) and "Clynelish B" (the original 1819 building) before the original was temporarily shuttered. It was then reopened in May 1969 under the new name Brora Distillery — tasked with producing a heavily peated style — and continued until final closure in 1983. The new Clynelish has operated continuously since 1967, growing from an initial small output to an annual capacity of approximately 4.8 million litres using three wash stills and three spirit stills.

Diageo invested in a new visitor centre at Clynelish in 2021, positioning it as "the Highland home of Johnnie Walker" and one of the most architecturally impressive Scotch whisky visitor experiences. However, by early 2026 the centre had closed to public visits due to insufficient tourist footfall at the remote Sutherland location — a commercially difficult position given the investment made.

Clynelish draws distilling water from the Clynemilton Burn. The distillery operates three wash stills and three spirit stills, giving an annual production capacity of approximately 4.8 million litres of pure alcohol. The distillery produces spirit primarily for Johnnie Walker blends — approximately 95% of output goes to blending. The single malt character for which Clynelish is known among enthusiasts is described as waxy, oily, and rich: a texture attributed in part to the behaviour of the spirit during distillation. Maturation uses a combination of ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks.

Clynelish produces a rich, waxy Highland malt with a character that stands apart from most Scottish whiskies. The flagship 14 Year Old shows beeswax and lanolin on the nose — an almost unique quality in modern Scotch — alongside orchard fruit (pear, apple), sea air, and a bracing coastal freshness that reflects the Sutherland location. The waxiness contributes a luxurious, coating mouthfeel. Floral top notes, vanilla from bourbon wood, and a long, dry, slightly salty finish complete the profile. Among blenders Clynelish is valued for the same waxy richness that makes it distinctive as a single malt; it adds a unique textural quality to the Johnnie Walker blend that no other distillery replicates.

[!warning] The visitor centre at Clynelish Distillery is closed to the public as of early 2026, including tours and the retail shop. Production continues. Verify before visiting.

For current production-only site status, see malts.com/en-gb/distilleries/clynelish.