Clynelish 25 Years Old 1995 Cask #11235 (LMDW)

The Paris house La Maison du Whisky bottled this Clynelish, a 25 year old, distilled in 1995, from cask 11235, bottled at 53%, one of 618 bottles. Clynelish is a waxy, citrussy Highland single malt from the village of Brora. The original Clynelish was founded in 1819 by the Marquess of Stafford during the Highland Clearances.

It was made in copper stills for a coastal, waxy make, building the cult Clynelish waxiness. An Oloroso hogshead lent raisin and a savoury, nutty edge to the wax. Oxidative, evaporative ageing turns the malt deep and waxy, ethereal esters and a faint sotolon (maple). The clean, oily spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and honey over the wax. Most of its make goes to blending, with a fourteen year old the flagship single malt. The oily, waxy texture is the signature that blenders prize above all. Water comes from the Clynemilton Burn, the spirit drawn off three wash and three spirit stills.

Bottled at a cask strength 53%, it is rich. A thick wax over orchard fruit and citrus, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The texture is thick and oily, the wax coating the palate. The finish is deep, waxy and maritime. This is the waxy heart of Johnnie Walker Gold.