Clynelish 16 Years Old 2009 Cask #307224 (Connoisseurs Choice)

From the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, a 16 year old Clynelish, distilled in 2009, from cask 307224, bottled at 59%, one of 265 bottles. Clynelish is a waxy, citrussy Highland single malt from the village of Brora. It is the heart malt of Johnnie Walker Gold Label, and a sought after single malt in its own right.

The spirit was worked through the tall stills for a citrussy, oily spirit, building the cult Clynelish waxiness. Maturation in an Oloroso cask laid dried fruit over the oily, coastal malt. At oxidative maturity vanillin and lactones are fully expressed, the wax and citrus at their best. 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 waxy, oily spirit. Refill oak lets the famous Clynelish wax lead, lemon and honey beneath. Clynelish wax and a maritime salt run through the maturing spirit.

At a natural 59% it is full and oily. Candle wax, lemon and a coastal salt, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. It is waxy and citrussy, the oily spirit shining through. Citrus, wax and a faint brine see out the finish. This is Clynelish's oily, coastal Highland style.