Linkwood 2012/2023 tasting notes

Linkwood 10YO Signatory Vintage 70cl 59% ABV
Cask Strength Collection
Distilled May 8, 2012, bottled February 28, 2023
Cask type: 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel
Cask no: 306295
143 bottles
Sample


Color: light gold.
Nose: pears, quinces, sand cake, grain, burnt match, honey, wax, vanilla, cinnamon, bird cherry blossoms, ash, meadow herbs, tar soap, lemons. Quite detailed, with some interesting burnt notes.
Taste: honey, apples, noticeable pepper, hard candy, cloves, apricots, grapefruits, wood. Hot and sharp, even a bit alcoholic.
Finish: honey, noticeable pepper, grapefruits, chocolate, cocoa, mint, apples.
Score: 8 ½. Good. +2+1+1.

Conclusion: an interesting bourbon-style Linkwood, though it feels very young. Water might have helped improve it, but the small 3cl whisky sample I got didn't allow for any experimenting. 84/100.

John Németh — Blues Live (2012) @@@+ / Soul Live (2012) @@@@

John lived in San Francisco between 2004 and 2013 and played a lot of concerts around the area. These two CDs were recorded during shows at Biscuits & Blues, the city's premier blues venue, Poor House Bistro in San Jose, and Point Arena Theater in Point Arena, up north in Mendocino County, in February 2012.

Németh is joined on the recordings by members of his touring band, including A.C. Myles on guitar and Tommy Folen on bass, along with his former drummer Nick Fishman. The performances also feature the acclaimed guitarists Kid Andersen and Bob Welsh, and John Lee Sanders on keyboards.

The first disc, as the title suggests, leans more toward blues, while the second one highlights the soul side of Németh's music. In total, there are twenty-five tracks running about two hours, with most of the songs taken from John's three albums released on the Blind Pig label between 2007 and 2010.

The blues part is quite interesting — both Németh's harmonica and the guitar work are a real pleasure to hear. The performances are top-notch, although the disc feels a bit drawn out, and the live atmosphere doesn't always come through as vividly as it could.

I found the second collection more enjoyable — it has a solid groove and funky soul, and John's vocals really suit that style.

That said, both discs are easy to return to and listen to again and again.

Tamdhu 2007/2024 tasting notes

Tamdhu 17YO Cadenhead's 70cl 57% ABV
Chairman's Stock series
Distilled 2007, bottled 11.2024
Cask type: Bourbon Barrel
180 bottles
Tamdhu comes from Gaelic for "little dark hill"



Color: golden.
Nose: fresh and baked apples, dill, chocolate, nougat, oak, maple syrup, orange zest, marshmallow, cherries, vanilla. Delicate and fragrant, very pleasant.
Taste: vanilla-chocolate ice cream, lemons, cinnamon, cloves, pepper, oak, marshmallow, apricots. A soft and easy-drinking malt.
Finish: chocolate, honey, lemons, pepper, cloves, cocoa, herbal notes.
Score: 9. Between good and excellent. +2+2+2.

Conclusion: an elegant, impressive malt. I usually prefer more intense, peated whiskies, but I highly appreciate a well-made Speysider. Cadenhead's deserves applause for selecting an excellent bourbon cask. As for sweetness — it's noticeable; while everything works well on the palate, I'd love to see a bit less of it lingering in the aftertaste. So on a 100-point scale, it's an 89. In the last five years, the only Speysider I've rated that highly is my beloved Linkwood, though I admit I have a soft spot for it. Whoever the Chairman is, they are sitting on some really good stock!

Nc'nean 5YO tasting notes

Nc'nean 5YO That Boutique-y Whisky Company 50cl 60.1% ABV
TBWC at the Movies series
Batch 4
Cask type: STR Red Wine
455 bottles
Sample


Color: amber with a reddish hue.
Nose: plums, tobacco, strawberries, shortbread cake, cherries, rose pepper, dates, hay, pomegranates, clay, honey, caramel, churchkhela, herbs, marzipan, blackcurrant jam, apples.
Taste: strawberries, plums, cherries, red currants, pepper, dark chocolate, lemons, cocoa, orange zest. Lovely berry sweetness and tanginess — delightful!
Finish: plums, cherries, pepper, lemons, dark chocolate, peaches, cocoa.
Score: 8 ¾. Better than good. +2+2+1.

Conclusion: my fourth Nc'nean overall and the first one from an independent bottler. The STR red wine cask did an excellent job, adding wonderful berry notes. 87/100. I'll definitely continue to keep an eye on this young Highland distillery!