Linkwood 36 Year Old 1973 TWE 10th Anniversary

I’m ending my Linkwood session with this 36 Year Old whisky from 1973. It was bottled by The Whisky Exchange especially for their 10th anniversary in 2009. My friend Stu from London tells me this should be a super whisky. I’m curious. The color is surprising at least, close to amber, since this is a bourbon cask after all. The cask strength after almost four decades is still 49,7%.

Oh, my! It’s starts already with the nose. This is überfruity: mango, Indian fig, apricots, dades, coconut, pineapple and banana. Wonderful with capital W! Some dried tobacco leaves and a spoonful of nutmeg. Some vanilla, lime and oak get to play along in this tropical garden. Spice-wise, I’m also thinking cinnamon. I’m transported to the French Mont Saint Michel, where I have some pancakes with orange syrup on a sunny terrace.

(at least 15 minutes pass…)

On the palate, the fruitiness is understated, I feel. White pepper and ginger take center stage, flanked by the tannins from the bourbon cask. Not totally unexpected after 36 years, but a pity after such an amazing nose. However… wait for it… at last the fruitiness explodes in your mouth. Tropical madness.

The finish is slightly drying and somewhat bitter from the wood, but dies a sweet death. Magnificent.

Despite the hefty price tag (between 150 and 180 EUR), well worth it, especially the nose.

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