A long time ago I used to regularly swap samples with a whisky buddy, Geert, who up until this day I haven’t met face to face. We keep in touch every once in a while about various whisky-related things. Like a few months ago for instance, when he generously sent me this (and a few other samples as well).
Then a little while after, when I was going through my sample drawer, I happened upon a sample labeled ‘Mystery Sample #5’. A leftover from a batch of samples Geert shared with me five or six years ago. I contacted him to find out if he still had any idea what was in there. Miraculously, he did! So that’s how I got to taste (blindly, I might add) this Linkwood from Malts of Scotland.
Linkwood 2000 14 Years (55.8%, Malts of Scotland, C#14025)
Nose: Buttery with touches of lemon yoghurt, apple skin and pear. Hints of granola bars, rye bread and straw too, and even some bung cloth. Good stuff and balanced. Reminds me of a gentler version of this Cragganmore.
Taste: Creamy mouthfeel and a nice sweet arrival followed by soft spices—although maybe a little more pronounced than I initially thought. It has some juicy fruits to balance things out, like a tinge of pineapple and hints of apple sauce. There’s a whiff of charred oak too. Water brings out a menthol note.
Finish: Lingering spices and soft herbs. Long.
Score: 88
While not totally balanced this is a reasonably complex and singular malt whisky. It seems I’m taken by it much more than your average Whiskybase user 🙂
