Clynelish – 5 Year Old Ainslie & Heilbron (Bottled 1970s) (75cl, 43%)

This is a 5 year old Highland single malt from Clynelish, bottled in the 1970s at 43% in a 75cl bottle. It dates from the period after 1967, when the distillery was in the hands of Ainslie & Heilbron, a subsidiary of DCL. It comes from the 'old' Clynelish, before the Brora name was used for the distillery's whisky, and is an official bottling. The nose is very sooty, with old iron, coal dust, rusty nails and saltpetre. On the palate come salty bouillon, crystallised oranges and citrons, linseed oil, candle wax and a touch of mild chilli, with a waxy, full mouthfeel. The finish is long, salty and smoky, with a slightly acrid aftertaste.