Description

Linkwood-Glenlivet 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Cadenhead Original Collection (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 46%           Age: 10 Years Old            Country: Scotland

Date of Bottling: 2024
Matured In: Ex-Bourbon Barrels Then Two Years Oloroso Sherry Finish
Un-Chillfiltered, No added colour

The Whisky

Uncover a masterpiece of contrast with the Cadenhead’s Linkwood-Glenlivet 10 Year Old from the Original Collection. Distilled in 2013 at the prestigious Linkwood Distillery in Speyside, this 700ml expression showcases the distillery’s legendary “springtime” spirit after a sophisticated maturation journey. It spent its formative years in ex-Bourbon barrels before undergoing a transformative two-year finish in Oloroso Sherry casks, bottled in 2024 at a perfectly balanced 46% ABV.

The name “Linkwood-Glenlivet” is a deliberate nod to 19th-century traditions when Speyside distilleries appended “Glenlivet” to their names to signify superior quality and regional prestige. This bottling is non-chill filtered and naturally coloured, ensuring the delicate, floral DNA of Linkwood is not lost beneath the deep, nutty influence of the Oloroso wood. It is a rare opportunity to taste a “Top Dressing” malt—usually reserved for elite blends like Johnnie Walker—in its purest single malt form.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: A dense and jammy bouquet. Initial notes of blackcurrant, raspberry, and cherry are layered with the rich sweetness of date syrup. This is underpinned by a comforting, bakery-fresh aroma of buttered gingerbread and dark treacle.

Palate: The mouthfeel is elegant yet rich. It opens with an intriguing hint of Madagascan cola and juicy prunes, followed by the classic Speyside sweetness of Battenberg cake and Danish pastries. The sherry finish is evident in the thick, spreading notes of blackcurrant jam that coat the palate.

Finish: Long, fruity, and remarkably nutty. The experience tapers off with lingering flavours of figs and apricots, finally evolving into a signature finish of marzipan and toasted almonds.

The Distillery

The Linkwood Distillery, located on the outskirts of Elgin, was founded in 1821 by Peter Brown, who famously viewed it as a way to “monetize” the barley grown on his estate. A unique factual detail: In the mid-20th century, distillery manager Roderick MacKenzie was so superstitious about maintaining the spirit’s quality that he forbade the removal of cobwebs from the still house, fearing any change would alter the delicate character. Linkwood remains one of the few distilleries to use larger spirit stills than wash stills, an unconventional setup designed to increase copper contact and refine its famously light, floral, and “green” profile.

Overall Review

The Cadenhead’s Linkwood 10 Year Old is globally reviewed as a “joyful Speyside exponent,” praised for the harmonious balance between its fresh distillery character and the deep sherry finish. Critics have lauded it as a mandatory purchase for those who enjoy “unpretentious beauty” and a high-quality alternative to more mainstream Speyside brands.