Clynelish 18 Years Old 1997 Cask #6493 (Wilson & Morgan)

The bottler Wilson & Morgan selected this Clynelish, an 18 year old, distilled in 1997, from cask 6493, bottled at 53.3%, one of 196 bottles. Clynelish is a waxy, citrussy Highland single malt from the village of Brora. The original Clynelish was founded in 1819 by the Marquess of Stafford during the Highland Clearances.

It was distilled for the waxy, oily spirit Clynelish is known for, for the famous waxy texture at its heart. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a little coconut under the wax. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, lemon turning to candied orange over a thick, oily wax. Active wood frames the citrus without smothering the waxy texture. The lost Brora distillery beside it, closed in 1983, was revived by Diageo in 2021. Clynelish is unpeated, its character built on texture, citrus and coast rather than smoke. Years in oak round the spirit, the citrus deepening to orange and tropical fruit.

At a hearty 53.3% it carries real weight. An oily wax with citrus and brine, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft citrus and a honeyed wax sit behind the cask. The finish runs waxy, coastal and clean. This is a coastal Highland single malt of rare texture.