Clynelish 31 Years Old 1990 Cask #3689 + 3690 (Signatory)

This Clynelish was bottled by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 31 year old, distilled in 1990, from cask 3689 + 3690, bottled at 42.6%, one of 197 bottles. Clynelish is a coastal Highland distillery at Brora in Sutherland, famous for its waxy single malt. The distillery was built in 1967 next to the original Clynelish of 1819, which was renamed Brora and later closed.

It was worked through the tall stills for a citrussy, oily spirit, giving the oily, candle wax character Clynelish is prized for. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, vanilla and honey behind the wax. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending maple and old oak as beeswax and a coastal salt linger. Refill oak lets the famous Clynelish wax lead, lemon and honey beneath. Clynelish is unpeated, its character built on texture, citrus and coast rather than smoke.

At 42.6%, undiluted, it is deep and waxy. Candle wax, tangerine and a maritime lift, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is oily, the citrus carried on a waxy body. Citrus, wax and a faint brine see out the finish. This is a waxy, citrussy Highland single malt.