Last year The Whisky Exchange went the obvious route. While certainly tasty, offering an Oloroso matured Glenfarclas is maybe not the most inspired Christmas pick. So just to throw us a curveball, The Whisky Exchange picked something very different for this year’s Christmas Malt.
But first, I’d be remiss not to share the Christmas poem from the official press release. Because despite my girlfriend’s opinion on this, I can be the cheery Christmas type if I want to be…
Amid presents and family
And bright festive lights
A whisky that’s perfect
For long winter nights
So pour for yourself
And others invite
To all a good whisky
And all a good night
Linkwood 10 Years ‘Christmas Malt’ (54.2%, The Whisky Exchange, 2696 bts.)
Nose: It’s definitively sweet and inviting, with big notes of vanilla custard, as well as frosting, but also some green, herbacious notes. There’s some apfelstrudel here as well, with just a touch of lemon zest and galia melon thrown in. Fairly creamy too.
Taste: Soft and creamy mouthfeel with an interesting hint of thyme and oregano. Touches of cinnamon here as well, followed by lemon peel and red apple, as well as dark caramel and tinned pineapple. Touches of vanilla as well. The faintest note of gun powder.
Finish: Lingering vanilla and spices. Medium in length.
Score: 86
Certainly not a dime a dozen. A bit offbeat (in a good way) and probably not what most expect of a Christmas whisky. This isn’t that sweet, spicy sherry bomb with lots of dark fruits. That’s not criticism — I find it rather positive and daring to not go the obvious route. Available from The Whisky Exchange.
Sample provided by The Whisky Exchange
