Classic Highland Wax vs Wild Rye Experiment
Independent bottlers are often where whisky gets truly interesting — and Little Brown Dog might just be one of the most exciting names doing the rounds right now. What makes them special isn’t just quality (though there’s plenty of that), it’s their range. On one end, you’ve got absolute classics, bottled with reverence and restraint. On the other, you’ve got full-throttle experiments that gleefully blur category lines.
This comparison perfectly captures that dual personality.
On one side: Little Brown Dog Clynelish 14, a Secret Highland release that leans hard into everything we adore about classic Clynelish — wax, honey, malt, and elegance.
On the other: High Rye Scottish Spirit, a seven-year-old Invergordon-based oddball that feels more at home in a New York bakery than a Highland glen.
Two bottles. One bottler. Very different moods.
About Little Brown Dog – Classic Roots, Experimental Heart
Little Brown Dog has built a reputation for being fearlessly curious. They’re just as happy bottling a textbook malt-house Highlander as they are releasing something that makes you double-check the label and mutter, “Wait… what?”
Their Secret Highland releases often nod to heritage and distillery character, offering drinkers a chance to experience familiar profiles without distillery branding. Meanwhile, experimental bottlings like High Rye Scottish Spirit show just how far they’re willing to push flavour — even if it means stepping outside Scotch whisky’s legal definitions.
That tension between tradition and experimentation is exactly what makes this comparison so much fun.
Little Brown Dog Clynelish 14 – Secret Highland Release
Stats
- Age: 14 Years Old
- ABV: 56.5% (113 Proof)
- Distillery: Clynelish
- Bottled by: Little Brown Dog
- Flavour Profile: Malt House Classic
- Chill-filtered: No
- Natural Colour: Yes
Nose
Full-on beeswax — exactly what you’d hope for from a Clynelish — but with a beautiful surprise underneath. There’s a deep, comforting malty core, evoking hot porridge and that unmistakable sensation of stepping onto a working malting floor. Freshly malted barley dominates, while subtle hints of citrus and fennel lift the whole thing and keep it vibrant.
Classic? Yes. Boring? Not even close.
Palate
Malt leads the charge again, this time as porridge and syrup-drenched pancakes, thick and indulgent. The waxy texture coats the mouth beautifully, with beeswax and honey in abundance. Just when things threaten to get too cosy, bright pops of kumquat and finger lime cut through, adding acidity and structure to an otherwise gloriously rich mouthfeel.
Finish
Long, waxy, and deeply satisfying. Citrus takes centre stage here, with tangerine zest and freshly squeezed lime, all wrapped in honey and oatmeal. It’s the kind of finish that lingers long enough for you to forget you were planning to pour something else.
Food Pairing
- Sweet: New York–style cheesecake (the top pick), passionfruit panna cotta, or a delicate meringue
- Savoury: A perfectly cooked medium-rare steak with nothing but salt and pepper — simplicity is key
Verdict
Strengths
Everything you want from a great Clynelish: beeswax, honey, structure, and texture, all delivered at a price that still feels fair. It’s bold, characterful, and unapologetically waxy.
Weaknesses
The high ABV might scare some drinkers, though personally I wouldn’t change a thing. If you’re not a fan of the classic Clynelish mouthfeel, this won’t convert you. Availability could also become an issue once word gets out.
Little Brown Dog High Rye Scottish Spirit
Stats
- Age: 7 Years Old
- ABV: 58.8% (117.6 Proof)
- Distillery: Invergordon
- Bottled by: Little Brown Dog
- Flavour Profile: Spice Market Heat
- Chill-filtered: No
- Natural Colour: Yes
Nose
Instant bakery vibes. Fresh-baked rye bread, cinnamon rolls, and gingerbread cookies dominate, making this nose feel more like a Saturday morning patisserie run than a whisky tasting. Underneath that sweetness are hints of raisins, coffee, and brown sugar, adding depth and a slightly darker edge.
Palate
This one does not ease you in. Cayenne pepper hits first, quickly followed by waves of brown sugar, rye spice, and cinnamon. Then comes the real magic: raw cookie dough, cake batter, and just a whisper of lemon zest and cherry popsicles to keep things playful. It’s chaotic — but intentionally so.
Finish
Long, warming, and unapologetically bold. Pepper intertwines with cake batter and a confectionary icing-like sweetness. Strawberry notes and rye spice cling on for dear life, refusing to let go.
Food Pairing
This dram demands baked goods:
- Pancakes
- Cookies
- Waffles
- Cinnamon buns
- Doughnuts
- Cake
Pick your favourite — you’ll be happy. Savoury pairings, however, aren’t really its thing.
Verdict
Strengths
Utterly unique and unlike anything else out there. It’s wild, loud, and joyfully unrestrained — exactly the kind of whisky-adjacent experiment that makes independent bottling so exciting.
Weaknesses
The proof is seriously high, and while it’s complex, nuance takes a back seat. This is a dram that shouts rather than whispers. It’s also legally not whisky — though in many countries, it would comfortably qualify as a rye.
Final Thoughts – Two Bottles, One Brilliant Philosophy
This comparison says everything you need to know about Little Brown Dog.
The Clynelish 14 is a love letter to tradition — expertly bottled, texturally stunning, and deeply comforting.
The High Rye Scottish Spirit is the rebellious younger sibling — experimental, playful, and completely unconcerned with expectations.
If you’re a fan of classic Highland wax, the Clynelish is a no-brainer.
If you want something that challenges your palate and makes whisky fun again, the High Rye delivers in spades.
Different drams. Different moods. Same fearless bottler.
