Linkwood 2008 9 Year Un-Chillfiltered Collection (Signatory)

This has a peculiar aroma, with significant herbal and sweet qualities. It hints at fruit, but it's difficult to identify. It reminds me of a certain rye. The nose is somewhat rich, with a trace of peat and a lot of almond nuttiness. Perhaps a hint of IPA influence is present too. The palate is smooth, offering some spice and a rich sweetness that combines with many herbal notes, similar to a digestif, though with a slight minerality at the finish. It's quite sweet, an aspect I appreciate. Mint (spearmint) and minerality do emerge, but they are not unpleasant. This is genuinely intriguing, with numerous dimensions. It's not my absolute favorite, but this tastes considerably older than its age suggests, with pleasant toasted almond and light caramel flavors rounding it out. I could easily believe it was 15 years old, although the caramel seems immature. 18 years would be pushing it. Nevertheless, this is an easy-drinking spirit, superior to a specific Islay malt. It's incredibly impressive for a Scotch under 10 years old. There's some really nice vanilla reminiscent of a specific American whiskey. It doesn't quite match a particular 21-year-old Scotch, but it's very good. And it's richer, despite its youth. Some light elements unfortunately come through as artificial at times, detracting from the experience. However, the consistent herbal undertone is very pleasant, adding considerable depth. I'm undecided between two scores, leaning towards the higher one due to the smoothness, despite the artificial note. The constant herbal background is very nice, increasing the depth substantially.