Linkwood 1990 / 16 Year Old / Sherry Cask

Colour: pale amber.

Nose: more spirity of course and a little silent at first nosing but starting to get closer to the ‘lower strength versions’. Same notes of raisins, toffee, orange marmalade, honey… A little more sulphur in this one.

With water: more on all things orangey, including cake and orange blossom water.

Mouth (neat): even closer to the two lightweights but with more of everything this time, especially spices and maple syrup.

Easily drinkable without water but let’s try it with a few drops… It gets even better, really tasting like everything in a candy shop plus quite some cloves and a little cinnamon. Perfect sherry and whisky association, only for pleasure. Perfect balance and compactness. 89 points.

Nose:  Sherry very evident on the nose.  Raisins, fruitcake, toffee and the like.  Some rich gingerbread aromas, trace of sulphur and polish.  Biscuity.

Palate:  Syrup, treacle, spice, dried ginger.  More of the fruitcake notes from the nose.  Some rich citrus notes, particularly sweet orange.  The spice gradually assumes dominance over the rest.

Finish:  Warm and long with the spice persisting and the sherry notes slowly fading around it.

Comment:  Another real treat for fans of sherried Speyside.

TF 24/07/07