Kittenish 2000 WAGE (Whisky AGE)

A 25 year old Clynelish from the bottler Whisky AGE, distilled in 2000, from cask 1426, bottled at 52.8%, one of 294 bottles. Clynelish makes the celebrated waxy, oily Highland malt on the far north east coast at Brora. Two old Brora warehouses still stand on the site, a link to its silent neighbour.

It was made in copper stills for a coastal, waxy make, to build a waxy, coastal, citrussy spirit. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a little coconut under the wax. At this evaporative stage ellagitannins lend a drying structure while oxidation builds waxy tropical fruit. 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. It is the heart malt of Johnnie Walker Gold Label, and a sought after single malt in its own right. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the wax.

At its natural 52.8% it is concentrated. Candle wax, lemon and a coastal salt, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A beeswax and a savoury edge give it depth. The finish is long, waxy and citrussy. This is Clynelish's oily, coastal Highland style.