Description

Linkwood 2009 Aged 15 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Symington’s Choice Cask Strength Collection Cask #5 By Signatory Vintage Cask (700ml)

Volume: 700ml          ABV: 55.6%           Age: 15 Years Old           Country: Scotland

Cask Number(s): 5
Date of Distilling: 30/07/2009
Date of Bottling: 11/02/2025
Matured In: 1st Fill Oloroso Sherry Butt

This Linkwood 2009, bottled by Signatory Vintage for their “Symington’s Choice Cask Strength Collection,” is a rare treat for Speyside single malt enthusiasts. Distilled in 2009 and matured for 15 years in a first-fill Oloroso sherry butt (Cask #5), it was bottled in February 2025 at a robust 55.6% alc/vol. This limited release of just 690 bottles showcases Linkwood’s delicate, fruity character beautifully enhanced by the rich sherry influence. Expect notes of ripe apples, toffee, walnut, caramelised pear, milk chocolate, and cinnamon, with a lingering finish of sherry-soaked fruit and soft oak spice.

Signatory Vintage, an independent bottler with a reputation for selecting and bottling exceptional whiskies, handpicked this cask for its outstanding quality and the harmonious marriage of flavours it imparted to the whisky. The Symington’s Choice series represents the pinnacle of Signatory Vintage’s cask strength offerings, showcasing the unique character and depth that can be achieved through careful cask selection and extended maturation.

Nestled in Speyside, Scotland, the Linkwood Distillery, owned by Diageo, was established in 1821 by Peter Brown. While production officially began in 1825, it was Peter’s son, William, who truly expanded and rebuilt the distillery. Linkwood’s spirit is highly prized by blenders, with the vast majority of its output destined for famous blends like Johnnie Walker and White Horse. This focus on blends means official single malt bottlings are relatively rare, most notably appearing in Diageo’s “Flora & Fauna” series. However, independent bottlers frequently release Linkwood expressions, offering enthusiasts a chance to explore its nuanced character.

This whisky is bottled at a cask strength of 55.6% alc/vol, non-chill filtered, and with natural colour, preserving its full flavour and intensity. Only 690 bottles were produced from this single cask, making it a rare and highly sought after release for collectors and connoisseurs.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: A delightful interplay of orchard fruit and autumnal sweetness. Ripe, sun-kissed apples and poached pears lead, quickly followed by a rich, sticky date and fig compote. There’s a subtle toasted almond note, hints of brown sugar caramelising, and a whisper of antique polished oak. As it opens, a fresh, almost herbaceous quality emerges, like a dewy morning walk through a spring garden, interwoven with a delicate floral perfume.

Palate: A velvety and substantial arrival, immediately coating the mouth. Dark chocolate shavings melt into luscious caramelised pear, with a vibrant burst of candied orange peel. The Oloroso sherry influence is undeniable but impeccably integrated, bringing waves of stewed berries, spiced rum raisin, and a comforting warmth of baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Underneath, Linkwood’s inherent lightness shines through, a subtle grassy freshness and a touch of honeycomb keeping it from becoming too heavy.

Finish: Long, warming, and elegantly fading. The rich sherry fruits linger, evolving into dried cranberries and a pleasant, slightly bitter dark cocoa note. A delicate oak spice provides a gentle grip, joined by a surprising hint of cedarwood and a whisper of dried pollen, leaving a refined sweetness that invites another sip.

Linkwood represents an opportunity to discover a hidden gem from Speyside – a beautifully balanced and refined single malt that exemplifies understated excellence and offers a true connoisseur’s delight.