Clynelish 27 Years Old 1996 White Label (Sansibar)

This Clynelish was bottled by the German bottler Sansibar, a 27 year old, distilled in 1996, bottled at 52.8%, one of 289 bottles. Clynelish, built in 1967 beside the old Brora distillery, is known for its signature waxy texture. It is the heart malt of Johnnie Walker Gold Label, and a sought after single malt in its own right.

Drawn off three wash and three spirit stills, to build a waxy, coastal, citrussy spirit. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the soft oak letting the waxy citrus lead. Oxidative, evaporative ageing turns the malt deep and waxy, ethereal esters and a faint sotolon (maple). The unpeated make leans on texture and citrus, the cask adding depth. The cool, salt laden coastal air works into the maturing casks at Brora. Clynelish wax and a maritime salt run through the maturing spirit. Its waxy character, a candle wax and beeswax texture, is prized above almost any other by blenders.

At a hearty 52.8% it carries real weight. Candle wax, tangerine and a maritime lift, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Orange, beeswax and a maritime salt fill the middle. A long, waxy finish carries an orange sweetness. This is an oily, maritime Highland single malt.