Linkwood 11 Year (2010) Single Cask Nation for The Barrel Thief

Review by: zSolaris

Distillery: Linkwood.

Bottler: Jewish Whisky Company.

Region: Speyside.

Age: 11 Year. Distilled July of 2010, Bottled in September of 2021.

ABV: 55.5%.

Price: $110.00

Color: 0.7, Amber. Natural Color and Non-Chill Filtered.

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Nose: Not the most inviting, even after a long time in the glass and with water added. The main note is that of hot honey with an emphasis on hot. There’s some fruit as well, lemon hard candies comes to mind, along with a tinsy bit of floral notes.

Palate: Much like the nose, it isn’t the most inviting. While a bit hot, it isn’t unpleasant but its really hard to get much notes wise. With water, the heat turns down to something easy to take but there just isn’t a whole lot that is pleasant flavor wise. Overall it just tastes like a fairly neutral grain spirit that is on the bitter side. Not a ton going on. Adding some more water doesn’t help it at all. Sadly, it is overall just unpleasant.

Finish: Too long. Bitter again.

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Conclusion: Over the years I know I’ve refined what I look for in a bottle and I have a fairly idea of what kinds of things I might be willing to take the proverbial gamble on blind. This Linkwood bottling from Single Cask Nation ticked off almost all of the boxes for me specs wise. Unfortunately, this game seems to have gone the wrong way. When I first poured this, I couldn’t believe what I was tasting and convinced myself my palate was off. As you can see in the photo, which I took just minutes before uploading this review, I’ve taken a decent chunk out of the bottle over the course of six months or so and my reaction to it has been the same every time. I legitimately don’t understand how the guys over at Single Cask Nation could slap their name on this, it is one of the most unpleasant whiskies I’ve ever had. There just isn’t anything really redeeming about it outside of the nose. If you like bitter things, I guess this will be up your alley but as for me, it’s been exiled from the liquor cabinet and into the pantry for hope I can find a use for it while cooking.

Rating: 35.

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.