Linkwood 10 Year Old 1984 The Ultimate

Another Linkwood from 1984, this time bottled by van Wees from Holland in their by now almost legendary The Ultimate series. The Ultimate counts more than 1000 single casks and has slowly garnered something of a cult following in Holland. This is an oldie, distilled in 1984 and bottled at the age of 10. Look at that, it has spent more than twice the time in the bottle than it has slept in a cask. It was drawn from a sherry cask and cut to 43%. Judging by the color, it was a first fill, but I do not have certainty.

Sturdy, sweet nose on peach, baked apples and sultanas. Hint of pineapple on the barbecue. Nice wood spices that allow the fruity notes to shine. Milk chocolate, cherry candy and winegums. Guimauve! I love it already.

Oily on te palate. The fruit returns (sans pineapple), but is immediately wrapped in a lovely spiciness of cinnamon and nutmeg. Hint of cloves and liquorice. That last bit becomes quite big. Then a lovely trace of woodsmoke giving the malt quite a bit of weight.

The finish is very long, softly drying and sweet until the end.

Impressive Linkwood, but alas no longer available.

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