Linkwood 12 Year Flora & Fauna

Aroma: light and floral, with fresh apples and pears, pleasant. Taste: I'd call this whisky very simple, which isn't a negative: it echoes the nose, but the fruit (apples and pears) is more prominent here. Very light and delicate, yet also thick and oily. Finish: I anticipated a very short finish, but the main body disappears quickly, leaving a velvety warmth that lasts a long time. Undoubtedly one of the best Flora & Fauna bottlings: simple yet enjoyable. Rating 4.00 _____________________________________________________ Nose: light and floral, fresh apples and pears, pleasant. Palate: whisky I would say very simple, which is certainly not negative: it confirms what is felt on the nose, but here the fruit (apples and pears) predominates. Very light and delicate, but at the same time thick and oily. Finish: I would have expected a very short finish, in reality the bulk ends immediately to leave room for a feeling of velvety warmth that instead lasts a long time. Without doubt one of the best Flora & Fauna: simple but at the same time pleasant. Rating 4.00

I bought this spontaneously at Lagavulin because I had never seen it before and might have been slightly intoxicated from a Laphroaig tasting. The aroma is just green apples, period. Trying harder, the alcohol overwhelms the scent without revealing anything else. After a 20-minute rest, light cereal grains emerge, like grape nuts from a distance or fruit-free granola. It's not outstanding, but not bad either. The palate is light and moderately creamy. It's sweet with fruit, but no specific fruits are identifiable – similar to a generic school fruit salad without the cherry. It maintains its sweetness almost to the end before oakiness intervenes, causing dryness and leaving a pleasant tingle on the gums for a few seconds. If tasted blind, I would mistake it for Irish whiskey. Consider it a pricier, less accessible, slightly more refined alternative to Glenlivet 12, or a pricier, less accessible, less refined alternative to Knappogue Castle 10.

Aroma: Light and grassy, with scents of white grape juice, vanilla, and pear. There's a sweet yet savory tropical smell, but it's not heavy like mango or banana. Pineapple bubblegum best describes it, but it's a fleeting scent. Taste: Sweet but light and crisp, reminiscent of chilled white wine, with flavors of vanilla, malt, beeswax, and lychee. A touch of mixed tropical fruit is present, though less than previously noted. The texture is waxy and creamy, with a slight oiliness. Finish: Medium length, with notes of cold black tea, pineapple bubblegum again, and lychee as the conclusion. A very enjoyable style of whisky. Linkwood is consistently crisp and grassy, with tropical notes always present regardless of the cask, but this expression seems a bit more reserved than earlier batches. It's a sweet but crisp whisky, and a fantastic dram for summertime. Tasted from a 2024 batch at the distillery. "Good" 83/100 (3.5 stars)

I agree with a previous assessment. Another excellent release from this producer. I truly appreciate this series, as I believe the distillers create bottlings that typically reflect the distillery's character, unlike many independent bottlers. The aroma had notes reminiscent of white wine, perhaps Riesling. On the palate, there was lovely thick honey and sweet butterscotch. I think the key to these releases is allowing them to rest and open up with time or a few drops of water. It steadily improved, and the bitterness faded into the background. A solid 4 out of 5.

It's a shame this whisky is so hard to find, because the liquid is delicious. It has honey and heather, with hints of almonds and wood spices. It's delicate yet complex, and it makes an excellent single malt. If you manage to obtain this, I advise you to do so. And consider purchasing the Dailuaine 16 at the same time.

Aroma: Green grapes, banana, creamy malty butterscotch. Palate: Plums, oranges, pears, brown sugar, nutmeg. Finish: Ginger, black pepper, honey roasted nuts. Approachable but not weak. Sweet but not overly mild.