Linlithgow 1982 MMcK (Morrison and MacKay)

This Linlithgow was from the independent bottler Morrison and MacKay, a 26 year old from 1982, drawn from cask 2220 and bottled at 61.8%. 582 bottles in all. Established in the mid 18th century on the site of a former convent, Linlithgow was shut by DCL in 1983. It was one of the five founding distilleries of Scottish Malt Distillers in 1914.

It was drawn off coal fired stills fed by an on site artesian well, for a waxy, grassy spirit with sharp white fruit. An Oloroso butt held it, sherry meeting the grassy Lowland spirit. Past twenty five years the spirit turns honeyed and tropical while keeping its edge. The distinctive spirit ages gracefully, gaining depth without losing its individuality. The pagoda topped malt barn survives as a listed building above the new apartments. There were no official bottlings in its lifetime; its fame came with Diageo's Rare Malts.

At a natural 61.8% it is full and oily. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth, and a gentle vanilla from the wood runs under a waxy, grassy depth with white fruit. It is waxy and deep, the fruit and oil woven in. The finish runs oily, mineral and warm. This is stock from a closed Lowland legend, ever scarcer.