Linkwood 30 Year Old 1984 Malts of Scotland

The German bottler Duitse Malts of Scotland has bottled four Linkwood so far, but this is their oldest yet. And for me, it is the oldest I have ever tried from this Speyside distillery. Let me get right to it.

To open the nose, it needs some hand warmth in my opinion. But then you get a typical Linkwood, which is always a feast. Mildly floral with loads of fruit like apples and pears, but also apricots with a hint of mango. A twig of mint and some vanilla. Soft and accessible, despite the cask strength.

It is perfectly quaffable without adding water. Loads of spices and some woodsmoke. Even a hint of peat, although that may just be in my head. It is wonderfully fruity with mango (told you), papaya – yes, it is becoming somewhat tropical if you ask me. The tannins do their work as well and offer a mildly bitter oaken edge. This prevents it from becoming a veritable fruit bomb, but it comes close.

The finish is fairly long and spicy, with a battle between the fruit and the oak at the death.

Very nice Linkwood indeed. You can taste the age. Just under 200 EUR, which I find more than acceptable fort his bottle.

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