I find it difficult to classify Linkwood whiskies. I’ve had some perfect 1970s fruit bombs from this distillery but also quite mediocre middle-aged bottlings. How about this Linkwood 1986 bottled by Sansibar…?
Linkwood 30 yo 1986
(41,4%, Sansibar 2016, 96 btl.)
Linkwood 30 yo 1986Nose: it has got some kind of dusty tropical fruitiness. Melons, ripe grapefruit, touches of pineapple, also plain yellow apples. Hints of mint. Waxy notes too. Dandelions, orange blossom, moving towards more leafy notes and earthy touches. Hints of caramel. Subtle and elegant, but above-par complexity.
Mouth: again a warm fruity profile, almost tropical. Peaches, melons, orange liqueur. Hints of mango. Some apple peelings and fruit tea, with a growing herbal side. Subtle touches of tobacco, as well as a light minerality.
Finish: fairly long, with some drying oaky notes, oranges, herbs and candied ginger.
Rather lovely, elegant Linkwood that slowly unfolds all of its complexity. Not cheap though: around € 260. Still available in some places.
Score: 88/100