LINKWOOD 26 ans 1981 Sweet Red Wine Cask

This Linkwood single malt, matured in sweet red wine casks, highlights a seldom-seen facet of the distillery’s spirit, where the influence of wine maturation enhances fruit intensity and aromatic complexity. A release of limited production, such wine-cask treatment deepens Linkwood’s characteristic floral and fruity backbone, allowing layers of rich orchard fruit, delicately sweet cognac-like notes and subtle spicy undertones to take centre stage.

Linkwood Distillery is one of Speyside’s historical gems, established in 1821 and distilling from around 1825 on the outskirts of Elgin, Scotland. Much of its spirit traditionally serves Diageo’s famous blends such as Johnnie Walker and White Horse, yet it also forms the backbone of rare and expressive single malt bottlings. While official releases from the distillery are relatively limited — notably the Flora & Fauna 12 Year Old and occasional Rare Malts editions — independent bottlers like Signatory Vintage and Gordon & MacPhail have brought Linkwood’s refined, floral-fruited style to wider attention, often through creative cask finishes and extended maturations.