I've always been curious about Linkwood, one of the oldest distilleries out there (1821). Their 15 year routinely sells for north of $150. And owners Diageo uses most of Linkwood's output for blending, so it's a single malt you almost always see as an independent bottling.
This one is part of Signatory's No Chill Filtration collection, and it's also uncolored - a beautiful light straw color that betrays how many other whiskies are tainted with E150. Aged for 11 years in a (presumably bourbon, presumably refill) hogshead, and bottled at 46% ABV. Let's see if rare ol' Linkwood makes the grade:
Nose: Light and perfumed: floral and spiced. Cloves, cinnamon, brown sugar. A distinct citrus note, perhaps orange flesh. Malt and light vanilla. Gentle oak. Cocoa. And a very light smoke note that dances out of reach. With water, the baking spices come to the forefront, enhancing a white wine note.
Mouthfeel: Very light, delicate.
Palate: Absolutely delicious. Delicate pear and apple. More of that orange note. Maybe some lemon peel added: a real fruit basket. More of the floral and spice notes from the nose: heather, cloves, lavender, cinnamon, more. Nice wood note throughout, good quality cask on this one. With a little water: melon, more cocoa and baking spices, a sweet white wine element, and more of the delicious oak.
Finish: Decent medium-length finish with oak tannins and a lavender perfumed note and lemons. The oak tends to dominate.
Verdict: This is an archetypal Speyside whisky: floral, fruity, spiced, balanced, scarily drinkable. It's very easy going. I recommend it quite readily, especially for the wonderful perfume and spice notes that thread through it from start to finish. I'm officially a Linkwood fan - Diageo, release more of this!
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