Clynelish 25 Years Old 1997 Cask #5720 (Wilson & Morgan)

A 25 year old Clynelish from the bottler Wilson & Morgan, distilled in 1997, from cask 5720, bottled at 48.7%, one of 148 bottles. Clynelish is a coastal Highland distillery at Brora in Sutherland, famous for its waxy single malt. The original Clynelish was founded in 1819 by the Marquess of Stafford during the Highland Clearances.

Distilled for the waxy, oily spirit Clynelish is known for, giving the oily, candle wax character Clynelish is prized for. Maturation in an Oloroso cask laid dried fruit over the oily, coastal malt. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds waxy tropical fruit. Years in oak round the spirit, the citrus deepening to orange and tropical fruit. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the waxy, citrussy core over the years. The unpeated make leans on texture and citrus, the cask adding depth.

At its natural 48.7% it is concentrated. A thick wax over orchard fruit and citrus, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A beeswax and a savoury edge give it depth. It finishes oily, waxy and bright. This is a waxy, citrussy Highland single malt.