Clynelish 17 Years Old 2008 Cask #306221 (Connoisseurs Choice)

A 17 year old Clynelish from the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, distilled in 2008, from cask 306221, bottled at 56.3%, one of 182 bottles. Clynelish is a Diageo distillery at Brora, prized by blenders for its oily, waxy malt. The lost Brora distillery beside it, closed in 1983, was revived by Diageo in 2021.

Worked through the tall stills for a citrussy, oily spirit, for the famous waxy texture at its heart. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed vanilla. At oxidative maturity aldehydes and esters lend tropical fruit while ellagitannins add a drying grip to the waxy malt. The waxy, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its citrus and coast. The original Clynelish was founded in 1819 by the Marquess of Stafford during the Highland Clearances. A coastal maturation lends a faint brine to the oily, waxy malt.

At cask strength 56.3% it is full bodied. Candle wax, tangerine and a maritime lift, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft citrus and a honeyed wax sit behind the cask. A long, waxy finish carries an orange sweetness. This is the famously waxy Highland malt of Clynelish.