Linkwood 1974/2017 Sig RR

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 40.9% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Two hogsheads and more than four decades of maturation shape this Linkwood from Signatory Vintage’s Rare Reserve. The single malt was distilled on 31 May 1974 and matured for 42 years in casks 8440 and 8441. On 1 February 2017, the whisky from these casks was bottled at a natural cask strength of 40.9%. The release comprises 237 numbered bottles.

The Rare Reserve is reserved for particularly old and rare releases. This Linkwood has no added colouring and is not chill-filtered. Its combination of sweet fruit and pastry notes, nuts and varied woody nuances finds a contrast in espresso on the finish. The 0.7-litre bottle is presented in a wooden box.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Vanilla and fudge with maple syrup provide a sweet foundation on the nose. Roasted almonds, milk chocolate, sweet spices and the scent of pine cones add further notes.
• Palate: Caramel and the sweetness of pear drops lead on the palate. Malted barley and sweet fried pastries complement them, while gentle citrus acidity and earthy cedarwood provide a counterpoint.
• Finish: Delicate oak notes meet toffee apples and bold espresso beans on the finish.

Distillery/Bottler:

Linkwood lies south of Elgin in Speyside. Much of the malt produced there goes into blended Scotch, including Johnnie Walker Green Label. Alongside the official Flora & Fauna bottling, independent bottlers offer further expressions of the distillery as a single malt.

Independent bottler Signatory Vintage is responsible for this Rare Reserve. Andrew Symington founded the company with his brother in 1988, having developed his enthusiasm for individual whisky casks at Edinburgh’s Prestonfield House Hotel. In 2002, he acquired Edradour distillery near Pitlochry; by 2007, Signatory had moved its entire operation there. The bottler’s work includes selecting whisky casks and providing detailed information about their provenance and maturation. Rare Reserve releases disclose details including distillation and bottling dates, cask type, cask numbers and bottle count.

Facts: