Linkwood Private Collection 40 Year Old, Sherry Cask, Cask #811, 1970, Gordon & MacPhail, 45%

Dark chocolate and coffee creams suggest a bold, bitter side, while bruised red apple gives the nose a gentler counterpoint. Coconut on the rich sherried palate is the detail that makes this more interesting to me; it softens what might otherwise sound one-note. The finish is described as wonderfully smooth, but the notes don’t explain how the oak sits beside those flavours. The character sounds appealing and well balanced, though I’d want a clearer sense of the oak influence before calling that the main attraction.