It would seem with Cadenhead’s new 2024 malts, it is a story of contrasts between the sprits on offer and the casks that they were matured in. And this new Linkwood is no exception., as the lean, grassy spirit is contrasted with with the deep, nutty flavoured Oloroso sherry oak.
From a US retailer, “light and delicate, beautifully balanced, grapes and green apples, malt biscuits, finishes sweet with a hint of citrus and lemon drizzle and orange zest”.
Official notes read, “Madagascan cola, juicy prunes, battenburg cake, Danish pastry, blackcurrant jam. Figs, apricots and continued marzipan and almonds”
Cadenhead is Scotland’s oldest independent bottler, having being founded in 1842 as William Cadenhead Limited Wine & Spirit Merchants. It was family owned until it was bought by another family company J&A Mitchell & Co, owners of the Springbank and Glengyle distilleries.
Linkwood is a favourite distillery of The Oak Barrel. Founded in 1821 in the town of Elgin in the region of Speyside, the distillery is currently one of Diageo’s workhorse sites – that is it produces whisky mainly for their blends. Long fermentation and gentle distillation gives the whisky from here an aromatic and grassy aroma, but a textural and oily palate.
A whisky that can show lots of floral notes while young, but one that develops great complexity with age. As such, this is used in blends not as ‘bulk filler’ at the heart, but top-dressing icing to give the overall blend complexity and elegance. Rarely seen as a single malt officially, it is often excellent in the hands of independent bottlers