Cley Dutch Single Malt Cask Strength Whisky Review: Remarkable for it's Age

Anyone who thinks great whisky only comes from Scotland or Ireland is mistaken. Our own little country is a rising star in the whisky world. One Dutch distillery drawing plenty of attention is Rotterdam’s Cley. We put the Cley Dutch Single Malt Cask Strength under the microscope. Whether Cley is a true Dutch pride and joy, you’ll discover in this Cley Dutch Single Malt Cask Strength whisky review.

In the Rotterdam district of Overschie stands what looks like an ordinary house. But looks can be deceiving: in the back garden of this home on Kleiweg sits the micro-distillery of Paul den Dulk and Maria Neves. Since 2015, they’ve been producing gin and whisky under the name Cley.

Den Dulk learned the art of distilling in Hasselt, Belgium. He honed his craft closer to home at the Jenever Museum in Schiedam. The still Paul works with also hails from Schiedam, and he uses it to triple-distill his spirit.

Cley Dutch Single Malt is made from barley grown in Rhoon, near Rotterdam. The new-make spirit is triple-distilled and aged for three years in ex-bourbon barrels sourced from Jack Daniel’s, Heaven Hill, or Woodford. The whisky then enjoys a six-month finish in a new American oak quarter cask.

The box this whisky comes in is simple: a square cardboard sleeve around the round bottle. The half-liter bottle looks handsome with its clean label that resembles a fingerprint. Notably, there’s no cork, just a small silver screw cap.

Bring your nose to the glass and you’ll quickly pick up oak, butterscotch, cinnamon, vanilla, and candied apples. The aromas transport you to a crisp autumn afternoon with grandma stewing apples in the kitchen. This whisky noses older than three years and already feels quite complex.

The first sip confirms a layered flavor profile. This is a very creamy whisky that glides silkily over the tongue. Orange leads the way, followed by sweet vanilla, caramel, walnut, and those classic Dutch almond-meringue cookies. Grandma has moved from stewed apples to a decadent dessert.

The finish is medium in length, both sweet and spicy. Vanilla and cinnamon linger pleasantly on the tongue. The higher 52 percent ABV is noticeable without ever turning harsh.

The Netherlands can be proud of its homegrown whiskies, and Cley is a standout among them. This single malt is flavorful and full of surprises. The 52 percent ABV may intimidate newcomers, but its sweet, rich character might just win a few over. Seasoned whisky drinkers will be impressed by the value for money and the complexity achieved at such a young age.

+ Beautiful flavors, especially for a whisky that’s ‘only’ 3 years old

+ Creamy mouthfeel

+ Excellent value for money

- The box and screw cap don’t exactly exude luxury

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