Linkwood 18 Years Old 1997 Old Malt Cask (50%, Hunter Laing, HH #11565, 257 Bottles, 2015)

• ABV: 50%
• Age: 18 Years Old
• Bottling: Hunter Laing, Old Malt Cask, HH #11565, 257 Bottles
• Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• Cost: sold out
• Origin: Linkwood distillery
• Vintage: 1997

What they say

18 year old single malt Scotch whisky from the Linkwood distillery in the Speyside region, independently bottled by Hunter Laing for their Old Malt Cask range. This was distilled back in the heady days of June 1997, then set aside to age in a single hogshead until July 2015. It was then bottled at 50% ABV with a small outturn of 257 bottles.

Official tasting notes:

• Nose: Mellow, with sweet vanilla, butterscotch and rhubarb.
• Palate: Smooth and creamy with vanilla, red berries and peaches.
• Finish: Long dry and sweet, with a touch of oak.

What I say

The second of our Indie Linkwoods pairing is a 1997 vintage, aged for 18 years and bottled by Hunter laing as part of their Old Malt Cask range.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Dark yellow gold (8/20), medium tears and  legs.
• Nose: Sweet vanilla, lemon, lemongrass, citrus, honey, oak wood, resinous and sappy, rhubarb dipped in sugar.
• Taste: Light bodied, citric and fresh/sharp, lemon juice, white oak, cinnamon, lemongrass, biscuity cereals, vanilla, butterscotch, lemon peel.
• Finish: Medium-long, honey and dry/resinous oak wood.

Overall

Still fairly basic with much spirit lead flavour akin to the 10 year old, some deeper flavours in here thanks to longer maturation but I’m still not loving this one.

Score 82/100

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