Clynelish 32 Years Old 1990 Cask #3507 (Signatory)

This Clynelish was bottled by the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 32 year old, distilled in 1990, from cask 3507, bottled at 45.8%, one of 115 bottles. Clynelish is a coastal Highland distillery at Brora in Sutherland, famous for its waxy single malt. Most of its make goes to blending, with a fourteen year old the flagship single malt.

Worked through the tall stills for a citrussy, oily spirit, to build a waxy, coastal, citrussy spirit. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the wax. In its ethereal years the malt is profoundly waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a touch of sotolon (maple, spice). The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the waxy, citrussy core over the years. Years in oak round the spirit, the citrus deepening to orange and tropical fruit. 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 its natural 45.8% it is concentrated. An oily wax with citrus and brine, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Orange, beeswax and a maritime salt fill the middle. The finish is long, waxy and citrussy. This is the waxy heart of Johnnie Walker Gold.