Linkwood 28 Year Old 1989 Cadenhead

This Linkwood was bottled three years ago for ‘The best Cadenhead bars & Restaurant in Singapore’. Indeed, the back label mentions The Swan Song, The Writing Club, Qaich Bar en New Ubin Seafood. I wonder if my friend Keith Chong sometimes goes to any of these places… Anyway, thanks to my buddy Manny I was able to score a sample. Will you look at that color.

Oh, my, what a nose! This was clearly a very active cask, for the nose is dominated by cough syrup, broth, caramelized blood oranges, rum raisins and maple syrup. Some molded wood and a doused fire pit the day after. I would never have been able to say this was a Linkwood if nosed blind. The distillery character is totally incognito.

Oh, my, again! This is a kick to the teeth, despite the modest ABV. Very spicy on all kind of wood notes with nutmeg in the lead. The fruit is hard to recognize, but I do get some cherries and raisins. This is very dark & sweet and feisty, but I might as well have poured me a sherry. Quite a bomb, though.

The finish is medium long, honeysweet, spicy and drying. Now the wood really rears its head. Slightly burnt caramel at the death.

Did I just taste a sherry matured whisky of was that a whisky matured sherry? But what a lovely sip for my 40th encounter with Linkwood. Many thanks for the sample, Manny!

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