Name: Clynelish 1992
SKU: 0270405
Price: 42.5 GBP
Availability: InStock

Clynelish The Distillers Edition, Double Matured in dark Oloroso Seco cask wood. A dry, nutty richness chosen to complement this delicious single malt's light, sweet floral style. Each bottle carries a release number, which designates the selected casks especially chosen for double maturation. Distilled 1992 and bottled 2007 with Special Release Number: CL-Br: 170-2g.

April 2026

Charity Auction

The history of Scotch whisky has to a significant degree been shaped by excise legislation, ever since the first tax was imposed on it by the Scots Parliament in 1644. The parliament passed an Excise Act fixing the duty at 2/8d (13p) per pint of ‘aquavitae or other strong liquor’ – the Scots pint being approximately one third of a gallon.

Over the next two centuries, many changes were made to the legislation surrounding the taxation of whisky, but one factor that never changed was the determination of some distillers to operate illicitly, cutting out any proceeds for the treasury altogether.

In the early 1820s as many as 14,000 illicit stills were being seized each year, and it was estimated that more than half the whisky consumed in Scotland had been distilled without benefit of licence. In 1822 there were no fewer than 6,278 prosecutions for illicit distilling. 

The following year saw the passing of perhaps the most significant piece of legislation ever enacted in relation to Scotch whisky. The Act was an attempt – largely successful, as it turned out – to stifle the extensive trade in illicitly-distilled whisky.

The Excise Act encouraged legal distillation by cutting duty to 2s 5d per gallon, a historic reduction of more than 50 per cent, and a minimum still size of 40 gallons was sanctioned. A licence fee of £10 per annum was introduced, the concept of duty-free warehousing was developed, and distillers were free to export to England and overseas. 

One of the key figures behind the Excise Act of 1823 was the 4th Duke of Gordon, who had extensive estates throughout north-east Scotland, an area that was the very heartland of illicit distillation. Gordon proposed that if new legislation was put in place to make legal distilling more attractive, he and his fellow landowners would do all in their power to uphold the law as diligently as they could and evict anyone convicted of illicit distilling.

The advantages were perceived as being more revenue for the government, despite the lower level of duty, and opportunities for the lairds to make money out of the rash of whisky-making operations that would surely be built as a result of the proposed legislation. Remarkably, no fewer than 79 new distilleries were commissioned between 10th October 1823 and 9th August 1824, with the number of licensed distilleries rising from 111 in 1823 to 263 by 1825.

Perhaps the most significant name from a north-east of Scotland ‘Speyside’ perspective to join the list of legal distilleries was that of Glenlivet, where Captain George Smith began to distil legally at his Upper Drumin farm in 1824. However, Smith’s father, Andrew, had been distilling on the site since 1774, without ever feeling the need to acquire a licence! 
Glenlivet was notable as being the first distillery in the Highlands to be licensed in the wake of the 1823 Excise Act, with support from the Duke of Gordon. Not that the newly licensed Glenlivet flourished without interference, however. Many of Smith’s compatriots considered him a traitor for ‘going legit,’ and as he wrote some years later, they threatened to “…burn the distillery to the ground, and me at the heart of it. The laird of Aberlour presented me with a pair of hair-trigger pistols worth ten guineas, and they were never out of my belt for ten years.”

According to legend, Smith only ever had recourse to his pistols on one occasion. This occurred in a tavern where he stopped for refreshment after delivering some whisky to a customer, and involved a number of would-be thieves, keen to relieve wealthy travellers of their money. When they approached Smith, he drew one of his pistols and fired it into the fireplace. He was allowed to finish his drink in peace.
As a legitimate distillery, Glenlivet supplied high quality single malt to Scotland’s thirsty, expanding population centres to the south, and in terms of reputation, all other Speyside distilleries soon came to exist in its shadow.

One effect of the 1823 Excise Act was a move away from very small, localised licensed distilleries in southern and central Scotland, with larger whisky-making concerns reflecting the general trend towards bigger, more professional and integrated commercial activities across the UK. 
Indeed, Scotland had already witnessed a tendency towards the development of an industry focused on a relatively small number of extensive distilleries, with the likes of Kilbagie, Kennetpans, Glenochil, Cambus and Carsebridge among the most significant. This consolidation continued apace in the wake of the 1823 Act, though the Highlands were still characterised by a larger number of individually smaller distilling operations.

To give a clear idea of just how significant the 1823 Excise Act really was, many of the distilleries and single malts we now value most highly were licensed within a decade or so of its enactment. Not all of these were ‘new builds,’ of course, with some, usually farm-based, having previously operated under the radar without licenses.

The list of distilleries in question includes Balmenach, Ben Nevis, Benrinnes, cardhu, Edradour, Fettercairn, Glen Scotia, Glencadam, GlenDronach, Glenfarclas, Glengoyne, Glenkinchie, Miltonduff, Royal Lochnagar and Talisker   as well as many others no longer in existence.
While a very strong case can be made for declaring the 1823 Excise Act to be the single most important piece of excise legislation relating to Scotch whisky, a case can also be made for the 1860 Spirit Act which legalised the blending of malt and grain whiskies under bond for the first time. But that is another story for another day.

The Deil's awa wi' the Exciseman - Robert Burns

"The deil cam fiddlin' thro' the town, 
And danc'd awa wi' th' Exciseman; 
And ilka wife cries,  Auld Mahoun, 
I wish you luck o' the prize, man.

The deil's awa the deil's awa, 
The deil's awa wi' the Exciseman, 
He's danc'd awa he's danc'd awa 
He's danc'd awa wi' the Exciseman.

We'll mak our maut, and we'll brew our drink, 
We'll laugh, sing, and rejoice, man; 
And mony braw thanks to the meikle black deil, 
That danc'd awa wi' th' Exciseman.

There's threesome reels, there's foursome reels, 
There's hornpipes and strathspeys, man, 
But the ae best dance ere came to the Land 
Was, the deil's awa wi' the Exciseman.

The deil's awa the deil's awa , 
The deil's awa wi' the Exciseman, 
He's danc'd awa he's danc'd awa  
He's danc'd awa wi' the Exciseman."

…burn the distillery to the ground, and me at the heart of it.

In this intriguing piece, Gavin D. Smith delves into the relationship between taxes and the Scotch Whisky industry.

1823 EXCISE ACT

Historical

In our inaugural Blog entry, Guest writer Ian Buxton explores the seemingly unglamorous distillery mill. The unsung hero of whisky distilleries.

The Distillery Mill

Useful Info

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Bidding Ends Today - From 8PM

March Whisky Auction Live Now!

macallan_71_years_old_the_red_collection.jpg

700ml

41.6%

2020 The Red Collection

Macallan 71 Years Old

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macallan_masters_of_photography_annie_leibovitz_skyline_cask_no10019.jpg

59.6%

The Library Cask No.14007

Macallan Masters of Photography | Annie Leibovitz

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macallan_2005_exceptional_cask_esh_1180205_2025_release_sherry_hogshead_2794956_367635.webp

70 cl

57.1% vol

2025 Estate Single Cask ESH-11802/05

Macallan 20 Years Old 2005

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Not Stated

Circa 1930-1940s

Glendronach Finest Highland Malt

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Minor wax marks to box

bowmore_39_years_old_2022_white_tiger_of_the_west_mythical_guardians_series_807702.webp

49.9%

2022 White Tiger of the West - Mythical Guardians Series

Bowmore 39 Years Old

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lagavulin_35_years_old_1990_2025_the_syndicates_cask_no4396_2793782_786912.webp

42.7%

2025 The Syndicate's | Cask No.4396

Lagavulin 35 Years Old 1990

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Clynelish 1992 The Distillers Edition 2007

Official Bottling

One of the most stylish distilleries within the Diageo portfolio, Clynelish has long enjoyed favouritism amongst whisky enthusiasts. Its 14 year old expression is rightfully regarded as a classic with its distinctive waxy undertones. In recent times, Diageo has realised the potential of the distillery and upgraded the visitor centre in 2021 along with its first refurbishment and upgrade in 2017.
For too long, it has lived within the shadow of its illustrious neighbour, Brora, which has returned to production in 2021. Established in 1967, it has consistently supplied the Johnnie Walker brand, whilst enjoying the occasional special release. Recently, the distillery has added an exclusive release and the option to bottle your own. Underlining the fact that at last, we’ll be seeing much more of the whisky itself.

Clynelish

Highlands

Full Size

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The Distillers Edition 2007

Clynelish 1992

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February 2016

Minor marks to transit box

mortlach_75_years_old_gm_generations_323185_229163_283298_103165.webp

44.4%

Gordon & MacPhail Generations

Mortlach 75 Years Old

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Minor damage to box, refer to images

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Folio 1

Macallan The Archival Series

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Mexico Edition

Macallan Distil Your World

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glendronach_43_years_old_1972_single_cask_no706.jpg

51.1%

Single Cask No.706

Glendronach 43 Years Old 1972

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macallan_masters_of_photography_steven_klein_el_celler_de_can_roca.jpg

53.5%

El Celler De Can Roca

Macallan Masters of Photography | Steven Klein

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No outer brown cardboard box

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2023 Release

Macallan 30 Years Old Sherry Oak

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55.3%

Easter Elchies 2013 Release (Blue Ribbon)

Macallan 17 Years Old 1996

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2019 Release

Macallan 30 Years Old  Sherry Oak

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balvenie_35_years_old_1981_dcs_compendium_chapter_3_801607_209687.webp

43.8%

DCS Compendium Chapter 3

Balvenie 35 Years Old 1981

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Foxing to labels

macallan_1958_campbell_hope_king_80_proof_273603.webp

26⅔  fl.Ozs

80° Proof

Campbell, Hope & King (80° Proof)

Macallan 1958

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Anniversary Malt

Macallan Over 25 Years Old

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longmorn_40_years_old_smws_755.jpg

54.9%

SMWS 7.55 | Liquid Heaven

Longmorn 40 Years Old 1968

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bowmore_36_years_old_2023_frank_quitely_lovers_transformed_3rd_release_2793703_513433.webp

45.2%

2023 Frank Quitely | Lovers Transformed (3rd Release)

Bowmore 36 Years Old

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bowmore_34_years_old_2024_frank_quitely_dragons_prey_4th_release_2793696_792880.webp

46.7% vol

2024 Frank Quitely | Dragon's Prey (4th Release)

Bowmore 34 Years Old

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45.5%

2018 Release

Macallan Genesis

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Please refer to images for general condition.

macallan_33_year_old_celebration_of_the_cask1965_2008_carn_mor_single_cask_2114_2794010_676435.webp

54.1%

2008 Carn Mor Celebration of The Cask | Single Cask No.2114

Macallan 33 Year Old 1965

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Minor tears to outer sleeve.

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Marks to box & bent hinge.

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50.3% vol 

Queen Mary 2 (Signed By Bernard Warner)

Glenfiddich 1976 Private Vintage

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Clynelish 1992

The Distillers Edition 2007

Clynelish 1992

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