Clynelish 24 Years Old 1990 Cask #91831 (Ian Macleod)

A 24 year old Clynelish from the bottler Ian Macleod, distilled in 1990, from cask 91831, bottled at 55%, one of 584 bottles. Clynelish is the coastal Highland malt whose waxiness has made it a cult favourite. The original Clynelish was founded in 1819 by the Marquess of Stafford during the Highland Clearances.

The spirit was run through copper stills on Clynemilton Burn water, for an oily, lemony make with a savoury edge. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut over the wax. Oxidative, evaporative ageing turns the malt deep and waxy, ethereal esters and a faint sotolon (maple). Long ageing turns the fresh lemon towards candied orange, beeswax and tropical fruit. Years in oak round the spirit, the citrus deepening to orange and tropical fruit. The wax sits at the heart of the spirit, the cask building fruit and honey around it. Active wood frames the citrus without smothering the waxy texture.

At a natural 55% it is full and oily. An oily wax with citrus and brine, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A beeswax and a savoury edge give it depth. The close is long, wax over a citrus lift. This is a coastal Highland single malt of rare texture.