Clynelish 14 Year Old is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky from the Clynelish Distillery in Brora, on the north-east coast of Sutherland. It is matured for 14 years in ex-bourbon and refill American oak casks and bottled at 46% ABV.

Clynelish is known for one thing above all: wax. Its spirit has an oily, mouth-coating texture often compared to beeswax or candle wax. It is rare among Scotch whiskies, and drinkers recognise it in blind tastings. The 14 Year Old is the distillery’s core bottling and the clearest expression of that character.

Clynelish 14 Year Old Tasting Notes

• Nose: Candle wax and honey, with citrus, dried flowers and a breath of sea air.
• Palate: Creamy and waxy, with citrus zest, sea salt, a wisp of smoke and gentle spice.
• Finish: Slightly dry, with sweet malt and a briny edge.

Where the Wax Comes From

Clynelish’s waxy character is generally traced to its feints receivers, the vessels that collect the weaker spirit at the end of each distillation. Over time they build up an oily residue. Distillery lore says that when the receivers were once cleaned, the waxiness disappeared from the spirit, and Clynelish has left them alone ever since.

Clynelish, Brora and Johnnie Walker

The present Clynelish distillery was built in 1967 beside the original Clynelish, which dates from 1819. The old distillery was renamed Brora and ran until 1983, producing at times a heavily peated spirit that is now among the most collected in Scotland.

Clynelish is owned by Diageo, and most of its spirit goes into blended Scotch. It is the heart malt of Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, and its waxy, honeyed character shapes that blend. Only a small share is bottled as single malt. The wildcat on the label is a nod to the Scottish wildcats still found in the hills around Brora.

Who It Suits

Clynelish 14 suits drinkers who know the Highland style and want something with more texture, and anyone curious about what gives Johnnie Walker Gold Label its depth. It is best neat. A drop of water brings the wax forward.