Clynelish 24 Years Old 1995 Summer Fruits Sundae (Wemyss)

The family bottler Wemyss Malts bottled this Clynelish, a 24 year old, distilled in 1995, bottled at 46%, one of 241 bottles. Clynelish, built in 1967 beside the old Brora distillery, is known for its signature waxy texture. 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. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the soft oak letting the waxy citrus lead. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds waxy tropical fruit. A coastal maturation lends a faint brine to the oily, waxy malt. Water comes from the Clynemilton Burn, the spirit drawn off three wash and three spirit stills. Most of its make goes to blending, with a fourteen year old the flagship single malt. Years in oak round the spirit, the citrus deepening to orange and tropical fruit.

Bottled at 46%, it is rounded. Candle wax, lemon and a coastal salt, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is oily, the citrus carried on a waxy body. Citrus, wax and a faint brine see out the finish. This is the cult waxy malt of Brora.