Clynelish 18 Years Old 1996 Cask #6508 (Signatory)

The Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage bottled this Clynelish, an 18 year old, distilled in 1996, from cask 6508, bottled at 43%, one of 829 bottles. Clynelish makes the celebrated waxy, oily Highland malt on the far north east coast at Brora. Clynelish is unpeated, its character built on texture, citrus and coast rather than smoke.

The spirit was distilled for the waxy, oily spirit Clynelish is known for, to build a waxy, coastal, citrussy spirit. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the wax. At oxidative maturity aldehydes and esters lend tropical fruit while ellagitannins add a drying grip to the waxy malt. The clean, oily spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and honey over the wax. Active wood frames the citrus without smothering the waxy texture. Water comes from the Clynemilton Burn, the spirit drawn off three wash and three spirit stills. Refill oak lets the famous Clynelish wax lead, lemon and honey beneath.

At 43% it is smooth and waxy. Beeswax, citrus and a honeyed oil, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Orange, beeswax and a maritime salt fill the middle. It finishes oily, waxy and bright. This is a waxy, citrussy Highland single malt.