Clynelish 35 Years Old 1990 Cask #3476 (Signatory)

From the Pitlochry bottler Signatory Vintage, a 35 year old Clynelish, distilled in 1990, from cask 3476, bottled at 42.7%, one of 95 bottles. Clynelish stands on the North Sea coast at Brora, the modern neighbour of the lost Brora distillery. Two old Brora warehouses still stand on the site, a link to its silent neighbour.

Distilled for the waxy, oily spirit Clynelish is known for, for the famous waxy texture at its heart. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the waxy character to the fore. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending maple and old oak as beeswax and a coastal salt linger. The cool, salt laden coastal air works into the maturing casks at Brora. The unpeated make leans on texture and citrus, the cask adding depth. Clynelish wax and a maritime salt run through the maturing spirit. The wax sits at the heart of the spirit, the cask building fruit and honey around it.

At cask strength 42.7% it is full bodied. Waxy honey, lemon and a savoury edge, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is thick and oily, the wax coating the palate. The close is long, wax over a citrus lift. This is Clynelish's oily, coastal Highland style.