Goldfinch is a brand new impartial bottler established by Andrew Macdonald-Bennett, who beforehand labored with Edrington. He appears to deal with sherry casks for all of his bottlings, so selecting the goldfinch could be very acceptable. This little chook spends its summers in Scotland however flies off to Spain for the winter, the place he’s usually nesting in bodegas.
We’re about to strive a whisky from two ranges. Paloma means dove and refers to a portray by a Catalan artist that adorns the label. This collection celebrates the impact of various sherry sorts on single malts. On this case we’re making an attempt a Linkwood 2008 completed in a uncommon Palo Cortado cask. Actually, all 4 releases thus far have been matured in these uncommon Palo Cortado sherry casks. Attention-grabbing!
The subsequent collection is The Kilnsman’s Dram. This collection revolves round smoky whisky.
Linkwood 14 yo 2008 (53,5%, Goldfinch ‘Paloma’ 2022, Palo Cortado sherry end, 331 btl.)
Nostril: brown sugar and butterscotch to begin off, adopted by some tobbaco leaves, matchstick heads and mossy notes. Plums, hints of burnt pastry crusts and heather honey. Caramelized nuts. Aside from this autumnal sweet-and-dry character, there’s additionally an virtually floral woody prime observe.
Mouth: fairly punchy. Loads of crushed peppercorns, nutmeg and wooden tannins come out. Walnut cake, hints of Seville oranges (and peels), tobacco, cinnamon and flippantly bitter natural tea. Raisins and hints of chocolate make it barely rounder.
End: lengthy, darkish and malty, whereas nonetheless fairly spicy and woody. Salted caramel and oak char, with leafy notes.
Linkwood is a beneficiant spirit on the subject of finishes. It accepts most cask sorts with out a murmur. The Palo Cortado provides a variety of caramelized notes however the wooden is sort of assertive on the palate as effectively. Obtainable from Goldfinch immediately or Grasp of Malt as an example.
Ardmore 13 yo 2008 (52,4%, Goldfinch ‘The Kilnsman’s Dram’ 2022, first fill European oak Oloroso sherry hogshead, 350 btl.)
Nostril: the soiled aspect of Ardmore arrives first. Moist soil and mossy notes, singed meat and natural smoke. Greasy ashes. Hints of Maggi, darkish cherries and candy butter caramel within the background. A sulphury contact as effectively.
Mouth: nonetheless fairly soiled I’m afraid. There sooty aspect and charred meat stay robust, now mixed with a layer of bitter tobacco leaves, leather-based black peppercorns and mulching leaves. Then a variety of toffee and spicy latte notes within the background. A light-weight natural bitterness seems, in addition to burnt nuts, saline notes and tar.
End: lengthy, spicy and malty, albeit with nicer charred notes and plenty of warming ashes.
A little bit of a patchy Ardmore for my part, with a grimy aspect that’s exhausting to swallow for me. Obtainable from Goldfinch immediately or Grasp of Malt as an example. Rating: 80/100
