LINKWOOD 11 Year Old 2012 Oloroso New Vibrations Signatory Vintage, 57.4% ABV

Signatory Vintage is a renowned independent bottler of Scotch whisky, established in 1988 by Andrew Symington. Unlike distilleries that produce their own whisky, Signatory Vintage selects and bottles unique casks from various distilleries across Scotland. This practice allows whisky enthusiasts to explore a diverse range of flavors and styles that might otherwise be unavailable. Each bottle is carefully curated, often featuring limited edition releases that highlight the distinct characteristics of individual casks and distilleries. Signatory Vintage is celebrated for its commitment to quality, authenticity, and the preservation of whisky heritage.

New Vibrations is a collection series by LMDW, in partnership with various producers and independent bottlers across different spirit categories. The series celebrates innovation and experimentation, crediting those who continue to push the boundaries of the spirit industry. Respectably and heartwarmingly, New Vibration focuses on both established distillers, producers and industry contributors, as well as young distilleries pioneering interesting ways to make spirits.

Linkwood Distillery is a historic Scottish whisky distillery located in Elgin, in the Speyside region, known for its smooth and floral single malts. Established in 1821 by Peter Brown, the distillery has undergone several expansions and modernizations over the years, yet it retains traditional whisky-making methods. Linkwood’s whiskies are highly regarded for their complex, fruity, and aromatic profiles, often featuring notes of apple, pear, and vanilla. Although much of its production is used in blends, such as Johnnie Walker, Linkwood’s single malts are cherished by connoisseurs for their elegance and depth.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Rich, smooth. Notes of toffee, freshly squeezed orange, and gingerbread are gradually overlaid with medicinal (balm) and roasted (coffee) fragrances. With aeration, gentle spices (cinnamon, fresh ginger) give way to chocolatey and savory aromas (apricot, cooked fruits).

Palate: Clear, lively. Very fresh, the palate entry is honeyed (lavender), fruity (melon, mango), and praline-like. Powdered (cocoa) and spicy (nutmeg, cinnamon), the mid-palate has a silky texture. The finish is marked by notes of salted butter caramel.

Finish: Long, balanced. Delicately wooded and licorice-infused, the beginning of the finish reveals numerous dried fruits (date, chestnut, walnut, almond). This autumnal ambiance intensifies with the aftertaste that evokes dry leaves. Velvety, the end of the palate invites us to savor a fine orange liqueur.

Key Information

Serving Suggestions
First things first, be comfortable, relaxed and free from distractions. Pour a healthy amount (15-25ml) into a nosing glass (e.g., glencairn) and let it sit for a while. We recommend a minute of resting in the glass for every year in the cask. Otherwise, let it settle down for 5-10 minutes at least.

Help yourself to a 'warm up dram' in the meantime - something simple to open up the palate. When ready, start nosing the spirit, followed by sipping it (noting how it arrives on your palate and its development), and finally the finish. Take your time to get to know the spirit, noting its expression, character, depth, complexity and flavours. These can all change with adding drops of water so play around to find different sides of the spirit and identity a personal sweet spot for yourself!

But always remember, the best way to drink it is the way you like it!