Clynelish 17 Years Old 1996 Cask #2933 (Silver Seal)

From the bottler Silver Seal, a 17 year old Clynelish, distilled in 1996, from cask 2933, bottled at 51.9%, one of 263 bottles. 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 drawn off three wash and three spirit stills, giving the oily, candle wax character Clynelish is prized for. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanilla beneath the oily, coastal spirit. At oxidative maturity aldehydes and esters lend tropical fruit while ellagitannins add a drying grip to the waxy malt. Long ageing turns the fresh lemon towards candied orange, beeswax and tropical fruit. A coastal maturation lends a faint brine to the oily, waxy malt. The cool, salt laden coastal air works into the maturing casks at Brora. The unpeated make leans on texture and citrus, the cask adding depth.

At its natural 51.9% it is concentrated. A thick wax over orchard fruit and citrus, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Orange, beeswax and a maritime salt fill the middle. The finish is long, waxy and citrussy. This is a coastal Highland single malt of rare texture.