Linkwood CNY 2011 Oloroso Finish
Cask Type: Hogstead
Bottled: 2022
Age: 11
Region: Speyside
No. of bottles: 459
ABV: 52.6%
Release: Winter Release 2022
Doug McIvor
“Linkwood, but amplified through judicious finishing! There is an earthy note overlayed by honeyed, yellow fruit notes and coconut. The palate swells with sweetness cut by a little green banana and raw cashew. An initial spicy prickle subsides to allow waves of gentle fruit and a lingering finale.”
Tasting Notes
This delicate Speyside, re-racked into juicy ex-Oloroso wood, is a warren of flavour. The nose offers apricot jam, figs and underripe peach, growing into spiced creamy carrot cairn. The palate builds beautifully from fresh fruit into rich dried fruitcake. The addition of a little water and delving deeper reveals more fresh peaches and coconut, along with further wood spice. The finish delivers a lasting medley of spices, fruit jams and hot crossed buns
Distillery
Linkwood Distillery, founded in 1821, is one of the Speyside’s hidden gems. The original Victorian buildings remain, despite expansion in the 1960s and ‘70s. Swans and ducks swim on the distillery waters, which provides cooling water for the condensers.
Ronnie says: “Legalised along with a few others shortly after the 1823 Excise Act, I imagine then owners Mr. Smith of Glenlivet and Mr. Cumming of Cardhu had to be on their guard from those who considered them traitors. In the 1970’s, the original distillery was replaced by a new one and the old was used for experiments.”