Clynelish 31 Years Old 1989 Cask #6094 (Blackadder)

The bottler Blackadder bottled this Clynelish, a 31 year old, distilled in 1989, from cask 6094, bottled at 46.8%, one of 194 bottles. Clynelish stands on the North Sea coast at Brora, the modern neighbour of the lost Brora distillery. Water comes from the Clynemilton Burn, the spirit drawn off three wash and three spirit stills.

It was worked through the tall stills for a citrussy, oily spirit, building the cult Clynelish waxiness. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the wax. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending maple and old oak as beeswax and a coastal salt linger. Long ageing turns the fresh lemon towards candied orange, beeswax and tropical fruit. Refill oak lets the famous Clynelish wax lead, lemon and honey beneath. Active wood frames the citrus without smothering the waxy texture. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the wax.

At a natural 46.8% it is full and oily. An oily wax with citrus and brine, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is waxy and citrussy, the oily spirit shining through. Citrus, wax and a faint brine see out the finish. This is Clynelish's oily, coastal Highland style.