Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Gradation: 55%ABV
Ageing cask: Ex-Bourbon First Fill
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Dram Mor Group
Average price: € 80.00
Official website: drammorgroup.com
Vote: 83/100
Let’s go back to the Scottish bottlers Dràm Mòr with their latest Christmas releases, three bottlings as always single cask and cask strength: Balblair, Tullibardine and Linkwood.
Let’s start with the latter, aged ten years in a First Fill ex-Bourbon barrel, from the Elgin distillery founded in 1821 by Peter Brown and now owned by the Diageo group.
Originally with the Glenlivet suffix, like many other distilleries in the area, Linkwood began production a few years later, passing ownership to Brown’s heirs who between 1872 and 1873 rebuilt and expanded the structure.
The distillery knows ample luck during the management of Innes Cameron in the first half of the twentieth century, and on his death it passes under the ownership of the future Diageo.
In 1971, a second distillery was built next to the original one, which will in fact take its place when the latter is closed in 1988.
There are currently two bottles produced directly, a Flora&Fauna and a 37-year-old edition.
Tasting notes
Gold loaded with copper reflections in the glass.
The nose is very warm and enveloping, with tones of ripe fruit (peach, apricot, melon) joined with caramel, vanilla, sultanas, cereal biscuits, lemon zest. Tobacco and coffee grounds. There is also an herbaceous vein with floral touches that gives a certain lightness. Intriguing.
At the entrance, comes a light wiff of smoke that fades in a short time, becoming dry on the palate with spicy notes (pepper, cinnamon, ginger) on a fruity profile with hazelnuts and almonds, licorice root, toasted caramel, cereals. Slight note of tobacco on the bottom.
Fairly long and dry finish, with salt tips on pepper, cinnamon, peach, hazelnut, tobacco.
Balanced and welcoming whisky without ruffles, the alcohol is perfectly integrated into a classic dram but with personality, which knows how to express the soul (and heart) of a distillery that should be appreciated more.