I was surprised when I opened the package with this sample in it. The Christmas Malt was announced, but in virtually all other situations you’d be finding a dark, sherry matured whisky. Not so in this case!

This 10 year old Linkwood has matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, which should make for a well balanced whisky. The Whisky Exchange’s website talks about delicacy, refinement and well-roundedness. Let’s see for ourselves!

Sniff:
Lots of vegetables at first, very green, but also some scents of cream and cheese. Strangely there are some of the thicker notes in some tequilas. Agave, vanilla, cactus slices.

Sip:
Quite rich with a bit of strength behind the richness. Vanilla, barley, hay and vegetables. Agave and cactus. Some banana, apple and pear. Moss and a hint of minerals.

Swallow:
Again, a tad green. Quite smooth with a rich spirit, tamed but not ruled by oak. Again, those tequila notes.

The green notes remind me of Ben Nevis. Old fashioned, rich spirit. It’s a very strange whisky, and one that kept me occupied for a while. It balances cask influences very well with the rich spirit of Linkwood. The tequila notes make for something unique, and something I really like.

What I love best about this whisky is that is very different to anything I’ve had last year. It’s a very unique spirit and warrants a lot of investigation and ‘I recognize that flavor, but what is it?’ moments.

It’s only available from The Whisky Exchange, and sets you back £ 57, which I find surprisingly decent in the current day and age. I’m considering buying it.

87/100

Linkwood 10, 54.2%, The Whisky Exchange Christmas Malt 2019.

Thanks to The Whisky Exchange for the free sample!