Clynelish Distillery Transformed Into World Class Attraction

let’s begin

New distillery experience at Clynelish set to attract visitors from across the globe

28th APRIL 2021: Following a complete reimagining, Clynelish Distillery, the newly named ‘Highland home of Johnnie Walker’, has opened its doors, welcoming people from across the UK, and when safe, from across the globe, to this new world-class visitor experience.

After undergoing a major revamp as part of Diageo’s £185 million investment into the transformation of its Scotch whisky visitor experiences, the Clynelish opening celebrates the return of whisky tourism after long-term industry wide closures.

Located on Scotland’s North Coast 500 route through the world famous Highlands, Clynelish invites visitors to explore its famous mysterious hidden spirit at its renovated visitor centre with an interactive story room, modern retail space, and new terrace bar overlooking Brora’s rolling hills, allowing customers to enjoy the Highland’s iconic scenery with a Scotch highball or dram in hand.

Guests will be able to embark on a visitor experience which completely reimagines the traditional whisky tour and not only brings together the story of the distillery and spirit, but that of the local Scottish community and its contribution to the Johnnie Walker journey, through a world-beating multi-sensory, interactive experience.

With secret rooms and hidden keys, each visitor will help unlock Clynelish’s unique story as they make their way through the attraction – learning about the history of Scotch whisky as they experience the story of Clynelish and Johnnie Walker.

Announcing the opening of Clynelish, Barbara Smith, Managing Director of Diageo’s Scottish Brand Homes, says: “We are delighted to be able to open the doors to Clynelish and celebrate the return of whisky tourism as we begin our phased return to life pre-covid. We have always had an international audience and it will be incredibly exciting to see people from all over the world walking through our doors once again, when global travel permits and it’s safe to do so.

“Clynelish has always had an air of mystery. Its flavour is completely unexpected, with tropical notes, citrus and the unmistakable waxy finish. It is not what you’d expect from a Highland distillery and the new visitor experience will take people on a journey of exploration and discovery. We can guarantee that Clynelish won’t disappoint. We know that visitors and locals will be blown away by the distillery – by a visitor experience that is unlike any other.”

Diageo has also worked with Euan’s Guide, the disabled access charity used by thousands of disabled people to review, share and discover accessible places to visit, as part of the Clynelish redevelopment to make the brand home more accessible for visitors. The improvements include the introduction of dedicated parking bays, improved signage and a new lift installed in the visitor centre.

The distillery also reopens as a modern and sustainable visitor attraction and the latest Diageo distillery, alongside Lagavulin, Blair Athol, Oban, Glenkinchie, Brora and Royal Lochnagar, to receive a Gold Standard Green Tourism award.

Clynelish is the second of the Four Corners of Johnnie Walker – which are the single malt distilleries that contribute to the world’s number one Scotch whisky – to be transformed in a £185million investment in Scottish whisky tourism by owners Diageo, following the opening of Glenkinchie in October last year. The project will also see its upgraded sister Speyside distillery, Cardhu, reopen next month as well as the much-anticipated opening of the new Johnnie Walker Princes Street whisky visitor experience in Edinburgh this summer (2021).

For more information and to book a tour at Clynelish Distillery, please visit https://www.malts.com/en-row/distilleries/clynelish

LIMITED-EDITION CLYNELISH FOUR CORNERS OF SCOTLAND BOTTLING

Four Corners of Scotland Clynelish 16-Year-Old is the second release from the Four Corners of Scotland collection that celebrates the transformation of the brand homes of Glenkinchie, Cardhu, Caol Ila, and Clynelish.

A rich, smooth yet understated malt with quiet authority, the Four Corners of Scotland Clynelish expression has a mild nose with waxy top notes of a well-rubbed waxed cotton jacket. The texture is silky-smooth, and the taste is sweet, its richness balanced by a delicious light acidity. This fine expression of Clynelish carries the waxy distillery character throughout the finish.

Four Corners of Scotland Clynelish 16-Year-Old is available to purchase at the Highland distillery and a limited number of bottles will be available online for whisky fans who are not able to travel to the distillery at this time. Matured in selected American Oak hogshead casks, this exclusive bottling will retail at an RSP £195 per 70cl, bottled at 50.6% ABV with just 3000 bottles available.

With a connection dating back to the 19th century, Clynelish is an important element of Johnnie Walker whiskies. When the original distillery was built in 1819, the quality of Clynelish whisky was so prized that only private customers were supplied. As John Walker & Sons built a library of single malts to craft their whiskies, they sought out elusive the Clynelish liquid for its unique combination of highland maritime qualities with a warm, waxy embrace. Over the years, Clynelish has continued to be held in high regard and today’s blenders consistently praise its unique waxy character.

RSP: £195

ABV: 50.6%

AGE: 16

No. of bottles: 3000

Available from: Available to purchase at Clynelish Distillery

In brief… A warm welcome to Highland malts with fruity tones and waxy aromas

Tags: Clynelish DistilleryJohnnie WalkerUKWorld Class Attraction

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.