The Spring selection from The Whisky Exchange’s The Seasons series arrived. We already reviewed nine bottlings accross three seasons, which means the series now forms a full circle. This time we’re getting single malts from Linkwood, Glentauchers and Caol Ila.
Just like before, you can buy them as a full set or separately. They are also offering a nice sample set with all the spring and summer samples.
Linkwood 10 yo 2013 (57,1%, The Whisky Exchange ‘Seasons – Spring’ 2023, refill bourbon barrel #307180, 485 btl.)
Nose: floral and sweet, with bright pears, green apples and quinces, lemon candy and hints of fresh grapes. Hints of honeysuckle, jasmine green tea and fresh laundry. Then some vanilla and coconut shavings, but this isn’t about the wood. Clean and uplifting, certainly on point.
Mouth: more of this sweet yellow fruitiness. Plenty of pears and lemons, along with orange juice and orange blossoms. Hints of pineapple cubes. Really juicy. Then a light hint of bubblegum before it gets slightly sharper, on yuzu and green tea.
Finish: medium, grassier with citrus zest and lemon candy.
Bright and inviting, this doesn’t seem too young. There’s a nice fruity roundness that makes it very attractive. Springtime indeed. Available from The Whisky Exchange.
Glentauchers 10 yo 2013 (58,6%, The Whisky Exchange ‘Seasons – Spring’ 2023, barrel #800435)
Nose: a greener profile, with mint and elderflower, green apple and fresh grass. Apple blossom. Then a hint of chalk and light herbs. Cookie dough and green tea.
Mouth: more green tea, with plenty of leafy notes, floral hints and a vegetal edge. Unripe pineapple but also celery, grapefruit peels and apples. Then a faint herbaceous bitterness along with some fresh oak shavings and gin-like botanicals.
Finish: medium, on herbal notes, hints of flour and green apple, with a bit of oaky prickle in the background.
Here we have the greener, unripe take on spring fruits. It’s slightly more austere with a herbal and floral edge. Available from The Whisky Exchange. Score: 82/100
Caol Ila 9 yo 2014 (59,9%, The Whisky Exchange ‘Seasons – Spring’ 2023, first-fill bourbon barrel #831)
Nose: green and herbal aromas on one side, sweet lemon with some honey on the other side. Very natural, with abundant lemon juice, briney touches and capers. Mild antiseptics, mint and fisherman’s ropes in the background. Rather classic.
Mouth: perhaps more intensely peaty than I expected for the time of the year. Crystal-clear sooty notes though (in the style of mezcal), along with bonfires and canvas. Then back to seawater, burnt grass, beach sand and plenty of lemons. Hints of liquorice and herbs too.
Finish: quite long, still showing a deep smokiness, along with more medicinal notes, seashells and a little tar.
Very good, no doubt, even though Caol Ila initially seemed like a weird choice for springtime. It’s a bright version but as a springtime whisky it had to grow on me. On the other hand it’s an interesting idea to offer a peated whisky in every season. Available from The Whisky Exchange. Score: 88/100