Clynelish 20 Years Old 1996 Cask #6410 + 6411 (Signatory)

The Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage selected this Clynelish, a 20 year old, distilled in 1996, from cask 6410 + 6411, bottled at 46%. Clynelish is the waxy, maritime Highland single malt at the heart of Johnnie Walker Gold. The famous wax is said to come from the build up in the distillery's feints receivers.

The spirit was worked through the tall stills for a citrussy, oily spirit, for the famous waxy texture at its heart. First fill bourbon gave a fuller vanilla over the oily spirit. 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 oily, waxy texture is the signature that blenders prize above all. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the waxy, citrussy core over the years. The clean, oily spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and honey over the wax.

Reduced to 46%, it is supple. Candle wax, lemon and a coastal salt, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A lemon, a brine and a thick wax lift it. It finishes oily, waxy and bright. This is a coastal Highland single malt of rare texture.