Linkwood 21 Year Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail)

* Disclaimer- This review is specifically for the Signatory bottling of this Linkwood single malt. I asked the website about adding this bottling because our distillery tour group is tasting this one in round 2. If the website eventually adds it I will gladly move this review. I just want to keep track of everything our group is trying, as well as add a review for anyone that may be interested in purchasing a Linkwood malt. On with the review... I decided to have a morning of sipping scotch after a long night of drinking craft beer with old friends. This morning's spirit sample comes from my friend and our Scottish Distillery group. We have just kicked off the second round so I started with what will be the oldest spirit for this round: Linkwood 20 year old. This is an independent bottling from Signatory that was put to rest by the distillery in May 1995 and bottled in March 2016. There were only two hogshead casks used for this vintage (#5927 & #5934). That makes this entire run no more than 132 US gallons - minus the Angels' share, of course. So it's pretty rare stuff. It was bottled at 43% ABV and was non-chill filtered, I believe. On the nose there's faint oak and sweet malt. After 10-15 minutes I think I pick up some light, floral notes but that could all be in my head due to this early morning drinking session, lol. The palate is also really one dimensional - bread and sweet apples/corn. It's not the candied variety, mind you, just some subtle sweetness. It's remarkably smooth, but what 20-year-old shouldn't be. There isn't much burn from the ABV because this had to be blended (watered) down to the stated 43%. I can only wonder what the flavor profile would've been had they bottled this at cask strength. The finish is medium length and somewhat peppery. Nothing much else to report on that front. Overall, it's a relatively bland single malt that really needed to be offered at cask strength in my opinion. As it is, it's one dimensional for sure. It's another tick off of our distillery list, though, and I'd like to thank my friend again for offering this one up. 3.25 stars. Cheers.

This is for the 25-year-old Gordon & MacPhail, which is quite available in well-stocked whisky bars and is very reasonably priced, as Linkwood Independent Bottlings tend to be. I purchased two ounces at The Caledonian in Toronto last week for $43 CAN (approximately $34 USD). Linkwood is very adaptable for long aging because the distillery's character is mild and easy to build upon. Linkwood is comparable to Baby from "Dirty Dancing." She enters casks with innocence and hesitation, desiring a robust, assertive cask to impart some spicy moves. Small ex-bourbon casks, preferably rejuvenated, are likely the best match. The 25 G&M uses refill sherry, with no further details provided. It was probably aged in tired sherry butts, because even after 25 years, something is lacking, and I rarely taste anything 25 years or older. NOSE: Take your time with these aged whiskies. Initially, there are stale and mixed vanilla/sherry notes. Wait a good 10-15 minutes for this dram to open up. Sweet fruity notes separate from earthy, damp forest undergrowth. Raisins and fading roses. Something mysterious in the background. Dusty, herbal traditional Chinese medicine-like. Nothing groundbreaking, but thought-provoking. Hmm... PALATE: Sweet arrival with an impressive body for 43% ABV. Still, it would have been nicer with more alcohol. Do not add water. Honey, vanilla, cream. I typically detect an Earl Grey undertone with all Linkwoods. Thus, London fog (flavors unite)! The woody flavors toward the end do not appeal to me. As I mentioned, likely tired sherry butts. FINISH: Medium in length. Dry and malty. The sweetness dissipated quickly, leaving you with the sensation of chewing on old, water-damaged books. The pages are brown, with a hint of moss. It could have benefited from some peat. It could have used some sherry. VERDICT: A bottle, if found on sale, should cost around $150. At that price, it's difficult to pass up for a 25-year-old. Discovering the London fog flavor was a great experience, and I could return to that at any time of day. Drink a 25-year-old whisky for brunch like a pro! MARK: 87/100.

This review is actually for the 20-year-old Linkwood bottled by an independent company. This Speyside single malt was bottled by an independent bottler. The whisky was matured in two hogsheads, casks #5927 and #5934. It's 43% ABV and has the natural color of white wine or pale straw. It is not chill-filtered. A very fresh and crisp aroma, suggesting the hogsheads are likely refill or possibly third-fill, not allowing for significant maturation. Apples and pears with lemons on the nose. Peaches, and something resembling artificial strawberry or watermelon flavoring. Light vanilla and anise/licorice, plus pickled ginger. After some time, a sherry sweetness emerges. Very subtle oak and cocoa powder can also be detected. There's a light peppery arrival on the palate. Apples and pears with cinnamon follow. Honey, toffee, dried apricots, and some vanilla. A light taste overall. It's not bad but lacks complexity, again indicating a lack of maturity. Light to medium body. Somewhat thin and dry. The finish is medium-short. Dry with light citrus, peach, and pepper. The flavor profile is typical for a Speyside. It's not what I expected from a 20-year-old, but I won't judge Linkwood solely on this independent bottling. It feels more like a 12 or 14-year-old. This just confirms that the cask activity, not just the time in the cask, determines if a whisky is exceptional or not. Thanks for the sample. Rating: 3.25. Cheers.

This tasting note is for a 20-year-old Linkwood bottled by Signatory, provided by a very generous friend. It's uncommon for me to taste spirits older than 15 years, so I was very curious. The aroma is subtle, with oakiness. It's somewhat malty and fruity, with notes of apples, lemon, honey, and heather. The nose is intriguing yet straightforward. The taste is hot and spicy. Is this truly 20 years old? It feels more like 7. The palate is surprisingly bland. There are some flavors, but they are reluctant to emerge, requiring significant effort to uncover. Once discovered, you find vanilla, honey, and walnuts. The finish is long and dry, with a lemony bitterness and a hint of oak. A disappointing experience, as I had high hopes given its age. It has a very hot and young spirit character. Not much depth and a rather muted experience. [80/100][Tasted: 11/2/17]

Sweet honey, aged leather, and a hint of citrus on the aroma. A full-bodied taste delivers a delightful mix of strawberries, breakfast cereal, and toasted grains. The conclusion lingers with a subtle spice. All in all, a fantastic and rare dram.

Similar to another reviewer's experience, my thoughts are specifically for the Signatory 20 yr old. It's quite one-note in scent, taste, and has a fleeting finish. A 20-year-old spirit behaving like a 12-year-old, much like today's youth. This is how I'm turning into my father...