Linkwood distillery, established in 1821 near Elgin, has long been prized by blenders for the quality and consistency of its make — a clean, floral, fruit-rich spirit that sits among the finest in Speyside. The 12 Year Old was bottled as part of Diageo's Flora & Fauna series, a range of official bottlings from distilleries that would otherwise have no single malt presence. For Linkwood, that obscurity is especially undeserved.
The whisky is archetypal Speyside — fruity, floral, gently sweet — but executed with a precision and balance that set it apart from many better-known neighbours. The floral character, often described as rose-like, is Linkwood's signature, and twelve years in bourbon casks have allowed it to develop without overwhelming it. At 43%, the whisky drinks with an elegance and lightness of touch that makes it instantly appealing.
Linkwood 12 remains one of the best-kept secrets in the Flora & Fauna range, a series that rewards curious drinkers willing to look beyond the familiar brands. The distillery has never been marketed with any vigour — its output is too valuable to Diageo's blending operations to divert much for single malt release — and as a result, bottles can require some hunting. The effort is well repaid. This is Speyside whisky-making at its most refined and unpretentious, a dram that asks only to be appreciated on its own quiet terms.
