Clynelish 26 Years Old 1988 Cask #908098 (Duncan Taylor)

A Clynelish of a 26 year old chosen by the Huntly bottler Duncan Taylor, distilled in 1988, from cask 908098, bottled at 48.3%, one of 81 bottles. Clynelish is a Highland single malt of waxy, coastal character from Brora in Sutherland. Its waxy character, a candle wax and beeswax texture, is prized above almost any other by blenders.

Worked through the tall stills for a citrussy, oily spirit, giving the oily, candle wax character Clynelish is prized for. A sherry cask wrapped the waxy spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. In the oxidative, evaporative years concentration brings tropical esters of mango and pineapple over a deep, beeswax richness. Long ageing turns the fresh lemon towards candied orange, beeswax and tropical fruit. Active wood frames the citrus without smothering the waxy texture. The unpeated make leans on texture and citrus, the cask adding depth.

Bottled at a cask strength 48.3%, it is rich. Waxy honey, lemon and a savoury edge, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. It is waxy and citrussy, the oily spirit shining through. The finish runs waxy, coastal and clean. This is the waxy heart of Johnnie Walker Gold.