Clynelish 10 Years Old 2016 100 Proof Edition #77 (Signatory)

A Clynelish of a 10 year old chosen by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, distilled in 2016, bottled at 57.1%. Clynelish is a coastal Highland distillery at Brora in Sutherland, famous for its waxy single malt. Two old Brora warehouses still stand on the site, a link to its silent neighbour.

Made in copper stills for a coastal, waxy make, giving the oily, candle wax character Clynelish is prized for. A sherry cask wrapped the waxy spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper citrus over the wax. Years in oak round the spirit, the citrus deepening to orange and tropical fruit. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the waxy, citrussy core over the years. Clynelish wax and a maritime salt run through the maturing spirit. Its waxy character, a candle wax and beeswax texture, is prized above almost any other by blenders.

At cask strength 57.1% it is full bodied. An oily wax with citrus and brine, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A beeswax and a savoury edge give it depth. The finish is deep, waxy and maritime. This is a waxy, citrussy Highland single malt.