Clynelish 15 Years Old 1996 Cask #8797 (C&S Dram Collection)

A Clynelish of a 15 year old chosen by the bottler C&S Dram Collection, distilled in 1996, from cask 8797, bottled at 56.5%. 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.

The spirit was drawn off three wash and three spirit stills, for an oily, lemony make with a savoury edge. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, vanilla and honey behind the wax. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, lemon turning to candied orange over a thick, oily wax. The wax sits at the heart of the spirit, the cask building fruit and honey around it. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the waxy, citrussy core over the years. A coastal maturation lends a faint brine to the oily, waxy malt. It is the heart malt of Johnnie Walker Gold Label, and a sought after single malt in its own right.

At a full 56.5% it is bold yet waxy. Beeswax, citrus and a honeyed oil, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is waxy and citrussy, the oily spirit shining through. A long, waxy finish carries an orange sweetness. This is the cult waxy malt of Brora.