Linkwood 2014 The Single Malts of Scotland Small Batch 11 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

Refill Hogsheads 

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

To launch this new sub-range called Small Batch, which is simply a new name for the defunct Reserve Casks, you need some interesting products. Such as this nonetheless 11-year-old Linkwood, a blend of four refill hogsheads, which could only allow the distillate to flourish. No indication of the number of bottles produced.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

It is fresh and herbaceous, reeds and dandelion, but very quickly becomes mellow and thick fudge, ripe fruit, slices of white peaches overflowing with juice, nectarines, various citrus fruits, kumquats, slightly wilted petals, wood splinters. On the palate, it is creamy, even honeyed, grapes, pears, apricots, some cereals, muesli, restrained spices. The finish is reasonably long, full of crunchy biscuits, dried fruit, young beams, candied vanilla, cake batter, milk chocolate, well-opened figs. 

 

In Short, 

It's very fruity, but not quite as overwhelmingly so as is sometimes the case with this distillery. As a solace, there are woody notes, cereals, some vegetal notes, it's very varied and balanced. A very fine bottling, and what's more, the price is really low, making it hard to resist buying. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :  

 

                                           Jockstrap - Concrete Over Water

Linkwood 1995 Artist #15 The Dark Side of the Moon 30 yo

 

 

 

51°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

1st Fill Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Among the gems selected by La Maison du Whisky from Signatory Vintage's cellars for its new Artist range, this Linkwood finished in a first-fill Pedro Ximénez sherry hogshead produced 339 bottles. The label features a work entitled Compassion by Stenjwa Luthuli. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

We have a fresher, more woody sherry, with wild strawberries, various citrus fruits, forest fragrances, holly, moss, bay leaves, molasses and acacia honey, cooked fruits, greengages, pears, almonds and lychees. On the palate, it is more peach and mango, with toasted cereals, crushed wood, roasted hazelnuts and ginger, relatively subtle spices, cloves and nutmeg. Powerful and very long finish, dates, raisins, figs, mahogany and cinnamon, vanilla and dark tobacco, a grain of redcurrant and a pinch of salt. 

 

In Short, 

An excellent Linkwood. It doesn't quite have the usual flood of fruitiness associated with this distillery, but it's not far off. Above all, the sherry gives it a velvety texture, honey and sweetness, with woody, herbal and indulgent notes, all beautifully balanced. Unfortunately, the price is far too high for this humble servant. 

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           whyohwhy - hori

Linkwood 2009 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 15 yo c. 22605905

 

 

 

54,5°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

1st Fill Sherry Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

The gentlemen at Gordon & MacPhail have so far opened no fewer than 6 casks of Linkwood distilled in 2009 since last year. This one is the 6th, it was a 1st Fill Sherry Hogshead and yielded 331 bottles. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Woody fruits, red apple, redcurrants, peppers, with a touch of vanilla and oak bark. Cloves, cinnamon, candied cherries, quince jam, gingerbread. It's slightly floral and indulgent, with warm croissants and apple turnovers. On the palate, it's as fruity as you'd expect, with ripe apricots, cranberries, pumpkin, candied fruits, cooked fruits, jam, honeyed walnuts and a stick of liquorice. The finish is almost syrupy, with red berries, wild strawberries, dried figs, thyme and rosemary, cooked mushrooms, fresh earth.    

 

In Short, 

A deluge of fruit, coppery with the influence of Sherry, and delicate floral and woody notes. A very good Linkwood, without being revolutionary, which fits the distillery's profile perfectly. In no way does the Sherry stifle the distillate, there's a fine balance. Unfortunately, the price is a bit high, so I'm going to try and wait for a promotion, hoping that it won't be sold out by then.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Marva Von Theo - Love

SMWS 2011 39.278 Plums in the Spice Cupboard 11 yo

 

 

 

61,6°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel 

Independent Bottling 

By Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Limited Edtion 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

At the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, the figures are starting to look dizzying. This is already the 278th bottling of Linkwood in 2023. After all, Pip Hills and his friends have been churning out whisky for 42 years. This Linkwood could not be more classic, with an ageing process that is a credit to the distillate. 225 bottles came out of the cask.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Influenced by the title, I think of plums of all colours, but also raspberry marmalade, chocolate-covered pear, delicate floral notes, birch bark, candied lemons, red apples, and a few forest touches. On the palate, the strength of the alcohol makes itself felt, but it remains very fruity, with dried apricots, pears, watermelon and a good measure of pepper. The finish is fairly violent, but not too long, with ginger, cloves, pineapple, prickly pear, cashew nuts, hazelnuts and a drop of charcoal.

 

In Short, 

It's a bit high in alcohol, and that doesn't go very well with the subtlety of the aromas, that's what I thought. What's more, it's quite fruity, but not the deluge of fruit you'd expect from Linkwood. In short, it's a good whisky, complex, imposing, but not up to what you'd expect. It's much better with a few drops of water. It's not expensive, but very hard to find.

Score : 88  

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Junodream - White Whale

Linkwood 1993 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 30 yo

 

 

 

49,2°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

1st Fill Sherry Puncheon

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Gordon & MacPhail is always going the extra mile when it comes to rarity, and this time we have a Linkwood no less than 30 years old, bathed in a 1st Fill Sherry Puncheon Cask. 531 bottles were made, to be tasted with the utmost care.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very deep sherry, but also very woody. Leather, hazelnuts, mahogany, roasted nuts, baked red fruits, old jams, figs, quinces, apricots, blood oranges. Fermented blueberries, crushed blackberries, redcurrants. Dark chocolate filling, with a few coffee beans inside. On the palate, a certain liquorish thickness, candied raspberries, mellow dates, acacia honey. Jam with a knob of butter, intense spices, cloves, cumin, nutmeg. Very long finish, chocolate, salted butter caramel, earthy touches, cola, cashew crumbs.

 

In Short, 

It's excellent, of course, but in my opinion the cask may have played a little too much of its influence, it's very marked by fruit and wood, and the balance isn't perfect. This will appeal to lovers of big Sherry, as it has great intensity and depth. The price is, of course, very high, but this is a truly exceptional product, well worth the sacrifice.

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                          Daniel Raffo - Woman, You Must Be Crazy

Linkwood 1995 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 27 yo

 

 

 

54,5°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside 

1st Fill Sherry Butt 

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Few independent bottlers are able to release a 27-year-old Linkwood, but Gordon & MacPhail have treasures in their warehouses. This one was distilled in 1995, and only 564 bottles were released for sale.

Let's Taste It : 

Roasted hazelnuts, cold meat, bacon, leather, donkey sausage. Luscious red fruits, cherries, redcurrants, blueberries and blackberries, well-waxed noble wood, wild cherry. Vanilla fudge that melts under the tongue, all sprinkled with cinnamon and lemon zest. On the palate, it's still very fruity, and wonderfully balanced, with forest berries, stewed plums, oven-baked apples, chocolate-covered pears, deep and complex spices, nutmeg, black pepper. Very long finish, really huge, clove, charcuterie and varnished wood, mushroom sauce, hot chestnuts, lightly charred bread, fig and raspberry jam, black olives.

 

In Short, 

As you'd expect, it's a killer. Very complex and deep, the Sherry lends personality to the whole, but does not prevent the fruity variety so dear to this distillery's fans. It's an excellent product, and not overpriced either. The problem is that it's sold out almost everywhere, so the only chance of finding it is at auction.

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Hubert Sumlin - Sometimes I'm Right

Linkwood 2013 100 Proof Edition #19 10 yo

 

 

 

57,1° (100° Proof)

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside 

2d Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured 

Totally Unpeated  

This 100 Proof range is a roaring success, as this is already the 19th bottling in less than a year, and I think they've just released the 34th for the festive season. It's good news for the whisky industry. This Linkwood is 10 years old, the first from this distillery in this range, but another has followed. The advantage is that it was matured in second-fill casks, which should allow the distillate to express itself. It is impossible to know how many bottles were produced, especially as the bottles are no longer numbered.

Let's Taste It : 

Soft caramel, strawberry jam and light floral touches. Minty freshness, orchard fruits. Green apples, Belle Hélène pears, yellow peaches. Candied lemon, Frécinette banana. Malted notes, toasted cereals. Vergeoise. On the palate, lovely smoothness, figs soaked in caramel, velvety prunes, powerful spices, black pepper, cloves, cumin. The finish is impressive and heavy, with coffee, saffron, paprika, thick bark and dark chocolate. A touch of bitterness, softened by brown sugar.

 

In Short, 

It's a good one in the range, in my humble opinion, the Sherry is very present but allows the distillate to express itself, resulting in a fine balance. The price is really nice and it's still available in many places, so it's a great gift idea.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Ksenia Buzina - Never Felt This Way

Linkwood 12 yo

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

American Oak Bourbon Barrels

Original Bottling

Core Range 

Single Malt

Launched in 1991

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Only 2% of what the distillery produces becomes Single Malt, the rest being used to make a number of world-famous blends, including the Johnnie Walker Green Label. This distillate is therefore rare, but appreciated by connoisseurs. This 12-year-old is part of the vast Flora & Fauna range, although this is not specified on the bottle. It is the only expression in the distillery's regular range. We'd love to see more.

Let's Taste It : 

Very fresh and fruity on the nose, with citrus pulp and vanilla, but also orchard fruits, pink apples and juicy pears, exotic fruits, grapefruit, melon and kiwi. In the background, a few woody spices, peppery cloves and discreet cereals. Like when you open a cigar box. Oily and sweet on the palate, between almond paste and vanilla cream, tinder, cinnamon, mint leaf and a pinch of cumin. The finish is long and opens out slowly, full of indulgence, meringue, whipped cream, sponge cake. Then it becomes woodier and spicier, chestnut, bark, acorns. Cotton ball.

 

In Short, 

This is a very pleasant whisky, well-made and intense. Full-bodied, full of fruit and pastry, it really has everything you wish. The price is sometimes a little high, and it's also hard to find, which is a shame. It could be more popular if it were better distributed.

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Chris Adam - Devil's Com'n My Way

Linkwood 2007 Silver Seal Young 15 yo

 

 

 

57,2°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

Oloroso Sherry Cask 

Independent Bottling 

By Silver Seal 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It's surprising that anyone would consider a Linkwood aged 15 to be young, but Massimo Righi, current owner of Silver Seal, has included it in his Young range. Aged in a single cask of Oloroso Sherry, it promises to tell some great stories. 271 bottles have been released for sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's an autumnal Sherry, with the smell of dead leaves and chestnuts littering the streets. Dried dates and apricots, cinnamon cake, brown sugar, sweet butter. Luscious vanilla and a touch of exotic fruit. On the palate, milk chocolate and fruit pastes, marrons glacés and quince jam. The spices are barely perceptible. Green tea. Long, explosive, even never-ending finish, nut pie, thick leather, dry bark, cola, peanut butter, speculoos cream. Thyme, rosemary.

 

In Short, 

Less intense and powerful than the Dailuaine in the same range, but it has its own personality and you can't forget it. It's not the usual explosion of fruit that you get with Linkwood, it's something more original. An experiment worth trying if you can afford it.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Shannon Jae Ridout - Ranger's Moon

Linkwood 2012 Artist Collective N°7.6 12 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon Barrels 

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This one is the oldest bottling in the new Batch from Artist Collective. You can't refuse a 12-year-old Linkwood, especially when it's the result of 6 first-fill Bourbon Barrels. 1776 bottles were produced.

Let's Taste It : 

Very fresh nose of lemon and mint. Ganache, Pastry cream, bamboo shoots, light honey. Liquorice stick, melted caramel. Evanescent floral touches, white lilac, chrysanthemum, pulpy yellow fruits dripping with juice. On the palate, it's light, somewhat drying, with young, rustic wood, exotic fruits, lychee, grapefruit, vanilla and a few vegetal touches. The finish is slightly aggressive but long, cola, nougatine, greengage jam, reeds and peanut butter.

In Short, 

Very pleasant nose, with a certain fullness of honey and lemon, but it's not as fruity as usual with this distillery. On the palate and finish, however, it's good without being remarkable. Given the price, you might expect better.

Score : 86

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Half Happy - Well Done Honey

Linkwood 2012 Cask Strength Collection New Vibrations 11 yo

 

 

 

57,4°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Signatory Vintage 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

Signatory Vintage, a trading company founded in 1988 by Andrew and Brian Symington, and La Maison du Whisky have been working together for decades. At Whisky Live 2023, a number of casks were reserved for the Collection New Vibrations that was to be released, announcing an exclusive sale in France. This Linkwood was finished in a first-fill Oloroso Sherry Butt. It is reasonable to assume that the first part of its maturation took place in a Bourbon Barrel. 683 bottles were released from the cask.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A fairly rich sherry, apricot jam, apple crumble sprinkled with cinnamon, the blood orange reveals a slight acidity, quickly covered by the various spices. Gingerbread, discreet notes of chocolate and coffee, grated ginger. Well-balanced on the palate, between creamy, honeyed fruits and lively spices. It becomes exotic after a while, with melon and mango. The finish is long, close to explosion, where the coffee comes through, woody and liquoriced, dried fruits, dates, figs, chestnuts. Tangerines and lemons.

 

In Short, 

Because of the influence of the Sherry Butt, it's not the explosion of fruits we usually get from this distillery. But that doesn't detract from the quality, with a fine balance between strong spices and yellow fruits. It's very successful, without being overwhelming. The price is more or less affordable, so fans of the profile can consider a purchase without blushing.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Carolyn Wonderland - She Wants to Know

Linkwood 1982 Gordon & MacPhail Private Collection 40 yo

 

 

 

57,8°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

1st Fill Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Gordon & MacPhail's Private Collection brings together whiskies of the highest quality, the kind of thing you'd never dreamed existed. Here we have a cask that was left to sleep for 40 years and 2 months, the content of which was distilled on 21 October 1982, and bottled on 23 December 2022. 573 bottles were put into circulation.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is superb, waxed, fruity, beeswax, royal jelly, orchard fruits, exotic fruits, mangoes, pears, papaya, bananas, peaches, white grapes, woody patina, birch bark, dead leaves and chestnuts, old leather and cinnamon, liquid honey. On the palate, the fruit returns, but more stewed, baked, applesauce, coriander, a dash of custard, a touch of vanilla, milk chocolate chips, subtle spices, cloves, coconut. The finish is very long and powerful, through several layers of wood, blackberries and wild strawberries, whole almonds, hazelnuts, humus, plantains.

 

In Short, 

This tasting was quite a journey. The Sherry influence is very diffuse and complements the distillate without overpowering it. A truly exceptional whisky. The price is exceptional too, but not in the same way. Out of time, in keeping with this product.

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Bluesstruck - Go Away

Linkwood 1994 Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength 28 yo

 

 

 

51,7°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

Refill Sherry Butt

Independent Bottling 

By Gordon & MacPhail 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncolouured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This 28-year-old Linkwood aged in a Sherry Single Butt yielded 656 bottles. As usual at Gordon & MacPhail, the workmanship is faultless, with no chill filtration or colouring.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A full basket of exotic fruits, as is often the case with Linkwood, but this time it's softened by the influence of Sherry, with nuts, dried fruits, sultanas, apricots, hazelnuts and prunes. Slightly waxy, with peanut butter and crushed almonds. The palate is as fruity as ever, with oily leather, delicate oak and perfect balance. The spices are discreet but present, cloves and nutmeg, the finish is long, melting caramel, a touch of liquorice, humus, pan-fried mushrooms, macerated red fruits.

 

In Short, 

The Sherry gives it great complexity and pleasant depth. This is a very successful Linkwood, where the fruit is tempered by notes of leather, chocolate and prunes. Considering the age of the product, the price seems acceptable, but it's not for my wallet.

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Isaac Chambers & Dub Princess - Speak Truth

Linkwood 2011 The Cooper's Choice 10 yo c. 303532

 

 

 

52,5°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. Ltd

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

When they don't make Finlaggan or other Highland Blended Malt, the guys at The Vintage Mat Whisky Co. devote themselves to this series, which brings together nice Single Casks from all over Scotland. This time it's a Linkwood, matured very simply in a Bourbon Barrel, and reserved for the French market. It gave 318 bottles.

Let's Taste It : 

A veritable cascade of fruits on the nose, which is exactly the distillery's classic profile, and so much the better: juicy pears, peaches, mandarins, bananas, kiwis, lychees, slightly acid apples and a few gooseberries, with a lovely fresh fullness. On the palate, the fruits are still present, along with vanilla and lemon, some walnuts and hazelnuts, rich and varied spices, nutmeg, cumin, parsley. The finish is long and pleasant, with shortbread biscuits, a touch of salt, lemon meringue pie and fresh cream.

 

In Short, 

This Linkwood is perfect, admittedly not very original, but why would you want something original when you've got such a deluge of fruits? It's very good, it's what's needed, it's what people want when they buy a Linkwood. What's more, it's fairly priced, so I'd recommend buying it.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Sofi Tukker - Brazilian Soul

Linkwood 2013 Single Cask Berry Bros. & Rudd 10 yo

 

 

 

56,9°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

Bourbon Hogshead 

Independent Bottling

By Berry Bros. & Rudd

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This Linkwood cask produced 310 bottles and was selected by La Maison du Whisky to be part of the New Vibrations label, for exclusive sale.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is predominantly woody, with a little less fruit than usual, although it is there: apricots, quinces, ripe grapes, yellow plums, some dried fruits also, soft caramel. Fine dust, good fullness. Very silky on the palate, figs and dates, very present spices, pepper and cloves, blackberries, melted chocolate. Very long finish, earth, prunes, and a slight smokiness on the aftertaste, which is astonishing. Ferns, humus, but above all more wood, slightly damp.

 

In Short, 

A Linkwood that's a little off the mark, there's some fruits, but it's a long way from the usual basket of flavours, it's very well done though, and fans will be happy with it. The price is excessive nonetheless.

Score : 88  

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           L. A Edwards - Peace Be With You

Linkwood 2007 House of McCallum Vintage 15 yo

 

 

 

50,5°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside 

Ruby Port Finish

Independent Bottling 

By House of McCallum 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

This Linkwood, a blend of two casks finished in Ruby Port, is typical of House of McCallum, which doesn't shy away from experimentation. However, there is still no indication of the first maturation or the length of the finish. One website says it's cask strength, but there's no confirmation of this either.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :

The classic profile of a Port finish: damsons, tobacco, lingonberries, a dash of charcoal, heather earth, forest undergrowth, ferns, a few acorns and creepers, but this time it's softer, rounder, with raspberry jelly, drops of honey and nuts. Very beautiful on the palate, smooth and silky, complex, the red fruits combine with a fine woodiness, varnished mahogany, Armenian paper, a bunch of white grapes. The spices are rich without being too intense. The finish is strong and long, back in the forest, I can almost hear the twigs crackling under my feet. Chestnuts, damp black earth, autumn leaves.

 

In Short, 

It's quite a success, the Port imposes its mark without being heady, but the distillery's profile is a bit lost in this, I'd have liked more fruits, a variety that can only be found in this distillery. Moreover, the price seems extravagant to me, for a bottle that is not a Single Cask.

Note : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Daniel Castro - I'll Play the Blues for You

Linkwood 2012 Artist Collective #6.2 10 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

1st Fill Bourbon Barrels 

Independent Bottling 

By La Maison du Whisky 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

The 6th edition of the Artist Collective range consisted in 8 different bottlings. This is the 2nd, a Linkwood matured exclusively in first fill Bourbon casks, 1807 bottles were produced, adorned with a work by Yannis Khannoussi, and sold under the banner of the Antipodes label.

 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

On the nose, there's a lovely basket of fruit, as usual for this distillery. Orchard fruits, plums, apples and pears, but also exotic ones, papaya, grapefruit, banana. A hint of mango. Beautiful ethereal richness, with a hint of lemon. Sweet, pastry-like, varied. Quite creamy on the palate, then green tea, with pleasant spices, clove, pepper, coriander. The fruits are limited to citrus, blood oranges, but also passion fruit. The finish is quite good, long, not explosive but pleasant, ashy, heather, damp earth, cola.

 

In Short, 

A Linkwood true to form, very well made, profusely fruity, a little sweet and with a few vegetal touches. It's a fine piece of work, especially the finish. On the other hand, the price seems exaggerated to me, but perhaps I'm not a big enough fan to understand.

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Rone  Nouveau Monde

Linkwood 2010 Valinch & Mallet The Young Masters Edition 11 yo c. 134

 

 

 

53,2°

Distillery : Linkwood  Speyside 

Palo Cortado Sherry Cask

Independent Bottling 

By Valinch & Mallet Limited

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated 

 

 

 

We continue to explore Valinch & Mallet's The Yong Masters Edition range with this graceful little Linkwwod aged in a Palo Cortado sherry cask for 11 years before being served in 550 cask strength bottles.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very fruity, even floral nose, marmalade of red plums, ripe greengages, candied prunes, peaches, conference pears, yellow apples, perhaps a hint of lavender. Dried fruits, dates, figs, raisins, one or two apricots Very intense palate, almost vinous, with a fine basket of fruits, from the simplest, familiar but juicy orchard fruits, to the most exotic, papaya, kumquat, kiwi, dried banana, a few cashew nuts. The spices are very discreet, paprika and saffron. The finish is pleasant, not powerful but very long, with heather, laurel, undergrowth, dry earth, then more dried fruits, quinces and braised almonds.

In Short, 

As is often the case with Linkwood, a marvellous flood of fruits, particularly pronounced here. Not much power, not much spice, it's all left to the fruits that invade the palate. It's obviously very pleasant, and as long as you're happy with the price, which for me is a little exaggerated, there's no harm in buying it.

Score : 90

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Black Sea Dahu - Orbit

Linkwood-Glenlivet 1987 Cadenhead Small Batch 28 yo

 

 

 

58,4°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside 

2 Butts

Independent Bottling 

By William Cadenhead Limited

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2015

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

The Small Batch range is one of many from Cadenhead, Scotland's oldest independent bottler. These are whiskies aged in small casks of less than 500 litres, so that the liquid interacts better with the wood. 28 years in a Small Batch can be equivalent to much longer maturation. This Linkwood is a blend of two casks, and it is not specified whether it is Bourbon or Sherry. A total of 1062 bottles were produced for release in early 2016.

Let's Taste It : 

The fruit is intense right from the first nose, as is often the case with this distillery. Greengages, mirabelle plums, bananas, italia and muscat grapes, exotic fruits, maracuja, papaya, prickly pear, all very ripe. But it is also austere, ennobled by the wood, a little fatty, pulpy, ethereal. Slivers of honey. Very complex on the palate, with a variety of spices, cumin, grey pepper, paprika, cinnamon, nutmeg, and the intensity of the fruit still present, it's quite tea-like at times, but it's also syrupy. An ounce of sweetness, with genoise and pastry cream. The finish is huge, destructive, very long, fizzy, sandy and of course fruity. Pear compote.

In Short, 

It's a whirlwind of fruit, which is what you'd expect from Linkwood, and this is what you get. What's more, the finish is truly exceptional, all in all a great success that will delight enthusiasts. The price is a bit high, but well worth it. You can still find it on certain websites in Italy and Belgium.

Score : 90

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

  

                                           Frank Sinatra - My Way

Linkwood 2011 Provenance 8 yo

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Linkwood - Speyside

Refill Bourbon Hogshead

Independent Bottling 

By Douglas Laing & Co. 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Douglas Laing & Co. is one of the last independent bottlers to offer Single Casks at reasonable prices. Of course, the downside is that they are reduced and not very old. Here we have a Linkwood aged for 8 years and 11 months in a Bourbon single cask and bottled in 325 units.

Let's Taste It : 

Very fruity nose, with a full fruit basket, orchard fruits, apples, pears, peaches, all very juicy, but also exotic fruits, litchi, kiwi, pineapple, and a few red fruits, grapes, plums, anyway, it would take too long to list them all. Slight country hints in the background, hay, dry straw, earth. A little iodine. The palate is a bit light, unfortunately, but it's honest, still on the fruit, with spices, turmeric, paprika, saffron. The finish, on the other hand, is very good, very long, a little charred, but once again on crushed blackberries and wine lees. A real festival.

In Short, 

This Linkwood is really amazing, I didn't think you could put so much fruits in one bottle. A good summer whisky, and what's more at a low price, I highly recommend buying it, in fact I think I'll have one.

Score : 87

                                            To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                            Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals - Steal My Kisses