SMWS 39.192 Linkwood 13 2006 "Putty and petrichor"

Nothing special other than petrichor being one of my favorite notes to get in a whisky, so if it made it into the name it’s worth a shot. As a peat fan, it’s not at all in the realm of my normal preference, but as I’ve had more whiskies my palate has widened so I may just like it anyway.

Linkwood 13, 2006 Vintage, Scotch Malt Whisky Society 39.192, Speyside Single Malt, 58% ABV

Minutia: Distilled on July 24, 2006 and matured in a refill ex-bourbon hogshead for 13 years yielding 204 bottles. This is part of the Light & Delicate flavor profile named “Putty and petrichor”. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Pale gold; 0.3.

Nose: Fruit, malt, yellow apple, floral. I get putty, and also where they got petrichor, but it’s a bit of a stretch.

Taste: Sweet, some pepper, apple skin.

Finish: Malty, putty, slight chocolate. Medium-long.

It’s quite nice. The petrichor isn’t quite what I’m looking for (hopefully the other SMWS bottle I have coming up soon alleging to have notes of petrichor will deliver) but the sweetness on the palate was unexpected and quite nice, and this is a nice whisky when you want something light but not weak.

Score: 82

Musical Evocation: Delain – “April Rain”

Johnnie Walker Green Label

Way back around college graduation, a buddy had a bottle of this. Some kind of gift from somebody, possibly friends chipped in for his 21st, I don’t recall exactly how, but he had a bottle of this and really at that point any of us only had the college party type experience with liquor. To the inexperienced drinker that was me, my recollection of this is that it was smooth, and that’s about it. Fast forward to now when I’ve learned a lot about what I like in a whisky, specifically that I very much like the Caol Ila and Talisker distilleries, and this is on my radar. In addition to continuing to learn and try various whiskies, I also set out to find a bottle or two (or however many) to have on hand to bring to parties, family events, in a flask, etc. The goal here is to kind of min/max affordability and enjoyability. At $50, this is just about in the range I’m expecting to pay for something like this. Let’s see if it holds up to any scrutiny. 

Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year, Scotland Blended Malt, 43% ABV

Minutia: Enjoyed neat in a glencairn. Sat 10-15 minutes. Contains Talisker, Linkwood, Cragganmore, and Caol Ila, at least. Contains entirely single malt Scotch whisky aged a minimum of 15 years.

Color: Gold.

Nose: Malt, salt, peat (subtle), citrus, brine.

Taste: Malt, smoke. There was a honey sweetness and fruitiness that together were reminiscent of a caramel apple without being too sweet like candy.

Finish: More than expected from a low ABV blend. Short, a pleasant burn. A malty linger with some brine.

I enjoy this well enough, and it could qualify as a flask whisky, but I won’t be keeping this on hand all the time as there are simply better options for that in this price range. It is a nice change of pace, however, from the Islay and Island whiskies that dominate my inventory. I expect I’ll buy a bottle now and again when I get a craving for this, or if I happen to see it for a good price.

Score: 82