Clynelish & Ardbeg 1996-2021 25yo Horizon Sunset & Horizon Nightfall by My Name is Whisky

25 July 2022

Clynelish & Ardbeg 1996-2021 25yo Horizon Sunset & Horizon Nightfall by My Name is Whisky

At the @whiskyconsutants.nl HQ, we like to broaden our horizons every now and then and luckily we happen to have friends in very, very powerful places. For example, Simon Paul and Francesca Murat from @mynameiswhisky_official who has been extremely kind to us in the past and once again provided us with two incredible drams.

These Clynelish 25 yo Sunset and Ardbeg 25yo Nightfall are the first and second expressions of a series of three of their new Horizon Signature collection. Simon Paul and Francesca strongly believe that when our inner vision opens, our horizons expand.

Their mission is to be the connection between centuries-old traditions and creative innovations and we believe that although the way of making whisky indeed is a centuries-old tradition, official and independent bottles can make a big impact on the world nowadays in the way they express themselves. On the website of @mynameiswhisky_official you can read all about their mission and values which we strongly agree with. Next to that they definitely know what they’re doing when it comes to whisky, if you take a look at our tasting notes:

Clynelish 1996-2021 25yo – Horizon Sunset (54.6%)

Tasting notes

Nose

Creamy and briny, beer batter, whipped cream and fresh apples and lemons, some gold kiwis and bananas for a tropical twist, sweet lollipops and vanilla pudding. There’s some cake with raisins as well

Palate

Wonderfully crafted and surprisingly firm, it has that waxy signature taste, but very subtle, it heads more into the direction of Umami, salt and brine, with apples.

Finish

Long, drying and very tropical, with passion fruits adding a slight bitterness. It’s very outspoken for such an old whisky, beautiful. Nice woody notes, but not very waxy.

Ardbeg 1996-2021 25yo – Horizon Nightfall (54.0%)

Tasting notes

Nose

A little bit sweaty with toasted bread, currants, bacon and sweet peat and chlorine rise from the glass first, but there’s more after the first whiff: bananas, peaches, cherries and apples give a totally different twist. Some merengue too, pretty sweet!

Palate

Oily, salty and very metallic, there’s loads of kiwi in here, reminding us of an old Bowmore.

Finish

The finish is endless, with sweet bbq ribs and chili, wet sand and battered shrimps with oriental sauce and honey. Some earthy hints of truffles and toasted oak. Bacon with maple syrup, dates and kiwi. It goes on and on, it tastes like the whole of Islay in one whisky.

We do not exaggerate when we say that we were just blown away by tasting these exceptional drams, both are complementary and strengthen one another so well! We can only say that light glimmers over the horizon and the future is looking very bright for Simon Paul and Francesca. Thanks again for giving us the opportunity to taste these phenomenal whiskies!