Linkwood 2015

One of those miraculous lucky finds: from a large batch of casks of Speyside single malt finished for 15 months in first fill Oloroso hogsheads, this one was unquestionably the best. While the others will have to wait a little bit more, this one is already so mature and stunning, that when we sampled it, we were puzzled: it tastes twice its age! At the nose we find old oxidated notes of long sherry maturation, tamarind, orange peel, vermouth: truly rich, decadent, very “old style”. At the taste it has toasted malt, and of course an important winey character. The sherry is nutty, plummy, well integrated, smooth. There are herbal hints, too, and a background of chestnut honey sweetness. In the end it becomes more mineral and astringent, but still with a juicy quality, with hints of beeswax too.