Clynelish 1996/2020 The Waxy 24 years old Valinch & Mallet Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 48.5%

The label says The Waxy Highland Distillery and nothing else. That is the kind of silence that says the most, because only one Highland distillery is ever called waxy.

Expert description

Clynelish 1996/2020 The Waxy 24 years is a Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in an ex-bourbon hogshead and bottled at 48.5%.

The cask is numbered MZ01-4 and gave 353 bottles after 24 years. The release was Valinch & Mallet's hundredth, and the house marked it by leaving the distillery unnamed under the byword The Waxy — an obvious nod to the texture Clynelish is famous for. A bourbon cask over that many years lets the spirit stand forward without much cask sweetness, which is exactly the point of this kind of bottling.

Tasting notes

Nose

Beeswax and lemon oil first, then ripe pear, honey and a cool mineral note. A distant sea air sits under it all.

Palate

Dense and oily. Citrus, malt, honey and wax, with white pepper and a dry herbal edge. The 24 years have given depth without the wood taking room from the fruit.

Finish

Long and dry, with wax, mineral and a slowly fading spiced warmth.

Specifications

Name: Clynelish 1996/2020 The Waxy 24 years Valinch & Mallet Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 48,5%
Distillery: Clynelish
Bottler: Valinch & Mallet
Region/Country: Highlands Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 24 years
ABV: 48.5%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon hogshead no. MZ01-4
Distilled: 1996
Bottled: 2020
Number of bottles: 353
Edition: The Waxy 100th Whisky

Flavour profile

Waxy · Citrus · Mineral · Honeyed · Dry

Investment potential

High. Twenty-four years in one bourbon cask, 353 bottles and the status of the bottler's hundredth release. Older Clynelish from independent bottlers has become noticeably harder to source in recent years.

Did you know?

Independent bottlers often hide the distillery name when the contract forbids its use. The solution is a byword such as The Waxy, Secret Highland or a nod to the region — and for enthusiasts, guessing the house is half the fun.

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Frequently asked questions about Clynelish 1996/2020 The Waxy 24 years

Why is the distillery not named on the label?

Because the bottler is not permitted to use the name. When a distillery sells casks on, the deal often forbids marketing them under the house name, so a byword is used instead.

What does The Waxy refer to?

It points to the waxy mouthfeel that is the Clynelish distillery signature. The byword works as a wink to anyone who knows the style, without breaking the agreement about the name.

How many bottles were released?

The cask gave 353 bottles. The release was also Valinch & Mallet's hundredth, which makes it a milestone in the house's history.

What does the bourbon cask do to the flavour?

It gives vanilla, coconut and pale fruit without darkening the whisky or laying heavy sweetness on top. Over 24 years the result is dry, mineral and very clearly distillery-driven.

Should I add water?

Try it neat first. At 48.5% the balance is good as it is, but a couple of drops can loosen the citrus and wax. Wait until after the first sip so you have something to compare against.

What is Highland whisky known for?

It is Scotland's largest region and the style runs from light and floral to heavy and maritime. The northern coastal distilleries are often the most mineral — see the full spread in our Highland Whisky.