Clynelish 26 Years Old 1995 (Daily Dram) (56.2%)

A Clynelish of a 26 year old chosen by the bottler Daily Dram, distilled in 1995, bottled at 56.2%. Clynelish is the waxy, maritime Highland single malt at the heart of Johnnie Walker Gold. Clynelish is unpeated, its character built on texture, citrus and coast rather than smoke.

The spirit was worked through the tall stills for a citrussy, oily spirit, giving the oily, candle wax character Clynelish is prized for. An Oloroso hogshead lent raisin and a savoury, nutty edge to the wax. Through the evaporative decades the oils concentrate, lactones and esters folding into mango, beeswax and a coastal salt. Clynelish wax and a maritime salt run through the maturing spirit. The oily, waxy texture is the signature that blenders prize above all. It is the heart malt of Johnnie Walker Gold Label, and a sought after single malt in its own right. The famous wax is said to come from the build up in the distillery's feints receivers.

At a full 56.2% it is bold yet waxy. Beeswax, citrus and a honeyed oil, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Beneath it run candle wax, lemon and a coastal salt. The finish is long, waxy and citrussy. This is Clynelish, the wax of the Sutherland coast.