Description

Linkwood 2012 Aged 10 Years Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky – North Star (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 51.9%           Age: 11 Years Old       Country: Scotland

Cask Number: Batch 023
Date of Distilling: July 2012
Date of Bottling: September 2023
Matured In: A Single Oloroso Sherry Hogshead
Un-Chillfiltered

The Whisky

Experience the vibrant, fruit-forward elegance of Linkwood 2012 11 Year Old North Star (Cask Series 023). Distilled in July 2012 and bottled in September 2023 for the 2024/2025 international market, this 700ml single malt is a highlight of North Star’s 23rd Series. Matured for 11 years in a single Oloroso Sherry Hogshead, it is presented at a natural cask strength of 51.9% ABV, with only 244 bottles ever produced.

Linkwood is a “distiller’s darling,” prized for a delicate, floral spirit that acts as the backbone for world famous blends. Inside information reveals that Cask Series 023 was curated to show how well this elegant distillate interacts with quality sherry wood without becoming a “sherry bomb.” The hogshead maturation has allowed for a more intimate wood-to-spirit ratio than a large butt, resulting in a beautifully integrated profile that remains quintessentially Speyside.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Softly sweet and invitingly fresh. You are greeted by notes of strawberries and peaches, followed by a dusting of vanilla sugar. As it opens, deeper aromas of caramelised nectarines and a hint of summer berries emerge, underpinned by a delicate floral top note.

Palate: The mouthfeel is superbly creamy and coating. It opens with vanilla custard and butterscotch, which is quickly brightened by classic Linkwood lemon drops and toasted coconut. Mid-palate, the Oloroso influence provides a refined depth of dried orchard fruits without overpowering the spirit’s natural vibrancy.

Finish: Medium to long and remarkably clean. The finish lingers with citrus oils and honeyed flapjack, finally tapering off with a gentle touch of toasted oak and Anzac biscuits.

The Distillery

Linkwood, located on the outskirts of Elgin, is a distillery that prioritises “purity.” Founded in 1821, it is famous for its long fermentation times and cold-water worm tubs, which create an aromatic, grassy, and textural spirit. A unique factual detail: The distillery once famously refused to even clear spiderwebs from its rafters for fear of changing the “micro climate” and affecting the character of the spirit. Today, Linkwood is a vital “top dressing” malt for Diageo’s blends, used to add complexity and elegance; in this North Star bottling, that elegance is allowed to stand alone as a sophisticated, single-cask expression.

Overall Review

The Linkwood 11 Year Old North Star Series 023 is globally reviewed as a “summer dram powerhouse,” praised for its creamy texture and balanced fruitiness. Critics have lauded its “approachable cask strength,” noting that the 51.9% ABV perfectly carries the delicate strawberry and peach notes, making it a mandatory purchase for fans of “lively” Speyside malts.