Linkwood 17 Year Old 1988 Signatory Vintage

Let us stick with Signatory and their Cask Strength Collection. This independent bottler is also owner of Edradour distillery and run by the always friendly Andrew Symington. This Linkwood was distilled in 1988 and bottled about 6 years ago at a strength of no less than 56,1% ABV.

The nose is grainy and sweet and rather perfumy to start with But then all of a sudden it turns to broth. Or even tomato soup with meatballs – I am not joking! This is weird, to say the least. Yeast and flowers, yes; fruit, no. A lot of caramel. After a long while, some cough candy and coffee emerges. Water does not make things right.

It is very creamy on the palate, almost like butter. It balances between sweet and sour, but in the end, it is bitter that gets the honours. If you can call it that, of course. Very piquant, by the way. Adding water makes it a lot better, but still not great.

The finish is wonderfully long. No, wait. The finish is long.

The odd one out that really cannot please me. Adding water and being patience is the order of the day here. Thanks to Jan VC for the sample.

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