Clynelish 30 Years Old 1972 Cask #DL 14747 (Douglas Laing)

A 30 year old Clynelish from the Glasgow bottler Douglas Laing, distilled in 1972, from cask DL 14747, bottled at 50%, one of 126 bottles. Clynelish is a Diageo distillery at Brora, prized by blenders for its oily, waxy malt. Clynelish is unpeated, its character built on texture, citrus and coast rather than smoke.

Distilled from unpeated malt in the distillery's tall stills, for a maritime spirit with a beeswax richness. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the soft oak letting the waxy citrus lead. Ethereal and old, decades draw the malt to a waxy, tropical delicacy of sotolon, beeswax and polished oak. The cool, salt laden coastal air works into the maturing casks at Brora. A coastal maturation lends a faint brine to the waxy, oily spirit. A coastal maturation lends a faint brine to the oily, waxy malt. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the waxy, citrussy core over the years.

At a hearty 50% it carries real weight. A thick wax over orchard fruit and citrus, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A beeswax and a savoury edge give it depth. The close is long, wax over a citrus lift. This is the waxy heart of Johnnie Walker Gold.