Clynelish 20 Years Old 2005 Cask #102342 (Meadowside Blending)

This Clynelish was bottled by Meadowside Blending, a 20 year old, distilled in 2005, from cask 102342, bottled at 51.5%, one of 215 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.

Drawn off three wash and three spirit stills, to build a waxy, coastal, citrussy spirit. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed vanilla. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, lemon turning to candied orange over a thick, oily wax. Years in oak round the spirit, the citrus deepening to orange and tropical fruit. Clynelish wax and a maritime salt run through the maturing spirit. Water comes from the Clynemilton Burn, the spirit drawn off three wash and three spirit stills. The clean, oily spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and honey over the wax.

At 51.5%, undiluted, it is deep and waxy. Candle wax, tangerine and a maritime lift, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run candle wax, lemon and a coastal salt. The finish runs waxy, coastal and clean. This is Clynelish, the wax of the Sutherland coast.