Digging into Signatory’s seemingly endless well-aged stocks comes this TWE Exclusive 24 year old Linkwood. Distilled in 1997 and matured in a single ex-bourbon hogshead, this one will set you back £199 directly from The Whisky Exchange.
Nose: Crushed rich tea biscuits, waffle mix and tart cases join cooking apples and apple sauce, whilst honey spread thickly over toast sits alongside warm, well-oiled oak. In the background, damp earthiness and gentle asides of nutmeg. Dilution expresses freshly baked apple pie, pear drops and a glug of mango juice livened with cinnamon.
Taste: Sharp, sweet and spicy. Sweet and sour (not the takeaway sauce!) apples join well-peppered toffee whilst golden syrupy and shaved chocolate sit with more crushed biscuit crumbs, pancakes and lightly sheened smooth oak. Water offers a lovely syrupiness that possesses notes of tinned orchard fruits, burnt oven buns and pastry. Over time, stone and tropical notes develop – resulting in a medley of fruit cocktail.
Finish: Medium in length with dried mint, sharp apple slices, touches of limestone minerality and piquant ginger, nutmeg and pepper.
Fruits and cask spices are the order of the day with this TWE exclusive Signatory Linkwood. However, the cask influence has been kept just on the right side of controlled. This was bottled at just the right time I feel. Rich, animated and fruity throughout – easy to like.
Review sample provided by The Whisky Exchange