Linkwood 9 Year Old 2013 Carn Mor 47.5% 70cl

Linkwood 9 Year Old Sauternes Finish – Càrn Mòr 47.5% ABV

A wonderful Linkwood release from independent bottler Càrn Mòr’s celebrated Strictly Limited series. Distilled back in 2013, just 1123 bottles of this Sauternes cask-finished single malt have been released. Sauternes wood tends to accentuate tropical fruit and floral notes – and this is exactly what’s going on here. The expression is all the more intriguing because a portion of the whisky was aged in rye barrels prior to finishing. It’s bottled with no added colour or chill-filtration.

Nose: It opens with an aromatic freshness: orchard fruits, citrus peels, melon and gentle sweet spices. There’s a maltiness, too.

Palate: The fruit becomes more tropical: pineapple and green banana. There’s vanilla, florals and coconut too, before woody spices bring depth.

Finish: Medium length and gently warming with more of those spices.