Clynelish 12 Years Old 2013 Cask #314378 (Phil & Simon Thompson)

From the Thompson Brothers of Dornoch, a 12 year old Clynelish, distilled in 2013, from cask 314378, bottled at 50.1%, one of 254 bottles. Clynelish, built in 1967 beside the old Brora distillery, is known for its signature waxy texture. Clynelish is unpeated, its character built on texture, citrus and coast rather than smoke.

It was worked through the tall stills for a citrussy, oily spirit, building the cult Clynelish waxiness. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the soft oak letting the waxy citrus lead. In integration lactones (coconut) and vanillin (vanilla) knit with the wax, lemon deepening to candied orange. 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. Refill oak lets the famous Clynelish wax lead, lemon and honey beneath.

Bottled at a cask strength 50.1%, it is rich. Beeswax, honey and a coastal freshness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is waxy and citrussy, the oily spirit shining through. Citrus, wax and a faint brine see out the finish. This is the famously waxy Highland malt of Clynelish.