Clynelish 24 Years Old 2001 Cask #235 (Milroy’s of Soho)

A 24 year old Clynelish from the bottler Milroy's of Soho, distilled in 2001, from cask 235, bottled at 51.8%, one of 164 bottles. Clynelish makes the celebrated waxy, oily Highland malt on the far north east coast at Brora. Its waxy character, a candle wax and beeswax texture, is prized above almost any other by blenders.

It was drawn off three wash and three spirit stills, for a maritime spirit with a beeswax richness. 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. The waxy, oily spirit takes cask flavour well while keeping its citrus and coast. The clean, oily spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and honey over the wax. Refill oak lets the famous Clynelish wax lead, lemon and honey beneath. The distillery was built in 1967 next to the original Clynelish of 1819, which was renamed Brora and later closed.

At a natural 51.8% it is full and oily. Beeswax, honey and a coastal freshness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A beeswax and a savoury edge give it depth. A long, waxy finish carries an orange sweetness. This is a coastal Highland single malt of rare texture.