Linlithgow 1982 SS Missing (Silver Seal)

A Linlithgow single malt, selected and bottled by Silver Seal, a 25 year old Lowland malt from 1982 and bottled at 63.4%. Just 30 bottles were filled. Linlithgow was dating to 1753 in the old whisky country west of Edinburgh; closed in 1983 after some two centuries. The Union Canal carried its casks to market through the whisky boom years.

Distilled on artesian well water in old fashioned coal fired stills, building the distinctive oily character it is loved for. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the oily character lead. Long ageing brings an oily depth, tropical fruit and a mellow, waxy character. Refill oak flatters the make, holding back its sweetness so the grass and wax lead. There were no official bottlings in its lifetime; its fame came with Diageo's Rare Malts. Its oily, grassy character set it apart from the lighter, more floral Lowland malts. The distillery is bottled under both its names, St Magdalene and Linlithgow.

At cask strength 63.4% it is muscular. Oily apple, gooseberry and a mineral note sit alongside honeyed oak sweetness underneath. A green apple and a herbal note lift it. Lemon, wax and oak draw out the close. This is a rare survivor of the 1983 cull.