Linkwood 10 year old Signatory Vintage

Nose: Grassy, candied pear, granulated sugar, pepper, vanilla, and a touch of unripe pineapple. Palate: Spirity, honey, simple syrup, malt sugar, cane sugar, canned pears, fondant, a subtle lingering lime citrus, grass, and earthiness. I discovered this bottle at my local Trader Joe's and decided to buy it, having previously enjoyed Signatory's Linkwood bottlings. This offering did not disappoint; ten years in an ex-bourbon barrel hogshead has resulted in a surprisingly sweet Linkwood expression. The palate initially presents a strong spirity character, which quickly shifts to notes of candied pears, grass, and various sugars on the front of the palate. The sweetness is then balanced by prominent pepper, lime citrus, earthiness, and grass. Overall, this is an excellent bottling of Linkwood, and I regret not being able to find more of them. If you happen upon a Trader Joe's with a spirits section, grab a bottle!