1978 Linkwood 37 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Linkwood is another of Diageo's relatively quiet distilleries that produces malt whiskies for blending, predominantly for the Bell's & Haig labels. Diageo's 2016 Special Releases include a rarely found official distillery bottling. There's not a negative word to be found on the blogosphere regarding this 37 year old cask strength gem. Maturation is fairly standard: refill American oak hogsheads and refill European oak butts. 6,114 bottles have been produced.

Other reviews... It’s going to be tough after the pretty perfect 30 yo, but we all know that Linkwood can age very gracefully. Just ask G&M. Colour: gold. Nose: roses! And this time, I’m not joking. Plus other flowers, as well as ‘dry’ waxes, some tiger balm, certainly a good dollop of turpentine, and then more and more pinesap. No, more than that, it really gets pinesappy (some idle, retired language teacher will kill you one day, S.) Some pineapples and peaches too. With water: tends to become more mineral, even after a good ten minutes. Touches of mash as well, yeast, bread… This was well barley. Old lady’s fur coat – an indeed, perhaps old-style rose-led perfume. Mouth (neat): this is Foreman vs. Frazier, both Linkwoods are returning blow for blow. In a way, this older one’s a tad fresher and more on fruits, whilst the 30 was more on cakes and malt. But what’s the best… I mean, my favourite? Hard to say… With water: gets drier, careful with water. Often the case with old whiskies, water unleashes the tannins that used to hide behind the alcohol. Add just one drop of Vittel (or any Scottish waters as soon as they don’t cost you an arm, which is the case in France – yeah, despite the Brexit – granted, so far). Finish: medium, more almondy. Comments: really, careful with water! I was ready to go up to 91 while it was still neat, while that would rather be around 85 when it’s reduced down to around 45% vol. Good, that’ll be… 4.5 stars.
89 points - www.whisky-fun.com