Clynelish 23 Years Old 1995 Cask #10218 (Wemyss)

This Clynelish was bottled by the family bottler Wemyss Malts, a 23 year old, distilled in 1995, from cask 10218, bottled at 46%, one of 303 bottles. Clynelish is a Diageo distillery at Brora, prized by blenders for its oily, waxy malt. A coastal maturation lends a faint brine to the waxy, oily spirit.

The spirit was worked through the tall stills for a citrussy, oily spirit, giving the oily, candle wax character Clynelish is prized for. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the wax. In the oxidative, evaporative years concentration brings tropical esters of mango and pineapple over a deep, beeswax richness. The oily, waxy texture is the signature that blenders prize above all. It is the heart malt of Johnnie Walker Gold Label, and a sought after single malt in its own right. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the wax. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the waxy, citrussy core over the years.

At 46% it is clean and coastal. Beeswax, honey and a coastal freshness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A lemon, a brine and a thick wax lift it. The finish is deep, waxy and maritime. This is the waxy heart of Johnnie Walker Gold.