Clynelish 23 Years Old 1995 Cask #8674 (part) (Signatory)

The Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage selected this Clynelish, a 23 year old, distilled in 1995, from cask 8674 (part), bottled at 54.5%, one of 266 bottles. Clynelish is a Diageo distillery at Brora, prized by blenders for its oily, waxy malt. The famous wax is said to come from the build up in the distillery's feints receivers.

It was run through copper stills on Clynemilton Burn water, for an oily, lemony make with a savoury edge. An Oloroso hogshead lent raisin and a savoury, nutty edge to the wax. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds waxy tropical fruit. Active wood frames the citrus without smothering the waxy texture. Years in oak round the spirit, the citrus deepening to orange and tropical fruit. The waxy, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its citrus and coast. Most of its make goes to blending, with a fourteen year old the flagship single malt.

At its natural 54.5% it is concentrated. Candle wax, lemon and a coastal salt, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Orange, beeswax and a maritime salt fill the middle. It finishes oily, waxy and bright. This is a waxy, citrussy Highland single malt.