Clynelish 16 Years Old Darkness! (MoM)

This Clynelish was bottled by the retailer Master of Malt, a 16 year old, bottled at 54.9%. Clynelish is the coastal Highland malt whose waxiness has made it a cult favourite. Water comes from the Clynemilton Burn, the spirit drawn off three wash and three spirit stills.

The spirit was worked through the tall stills for a citrussy, oily spirit, giving the oily, candle wax character Clynelish is prized for. A sherry cask wrapped the waxy spirit in dried fruit and a nutty depth. At oxidative maturity vanillin and lactones are fully expressed, the wax and citrus at their best. The waxy, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its citrus and coast. The clean, oily spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and honey over the wax. The original Clynelish was founded in 1819 by the Marquess of Stafford during the Highland Clearances. The cool, salt laden coastal air works into the maturing casks at Brora.

At a full 54.9% it is bold yet waxy. Beeswax, citrus and a honeyed oil, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath it run candle wax, lemon and a coastal salt. The close is long, wax over a citrus lift. This is an oily, maritime Highland single malt.