As a cask comes to maturity, Finn curates sampling sessions in interesting and relaxing environments, with friends, whisky experts and trusted partners to discover the personality of each cask and gauge the experience each dram evokes.
All the best distillers pride themselves on crafting whisky with a distinctive flavour, which is determined by the water source, grain and barley, the peat and malting, and their distilling processes. High quality original spirit is integral to every cask we bottle.
The cask itself interacts with the whisky over time. The type of wood plays a big role, as do treatments such as the whiskies are aged in a variety of types of casks. The whiskies are aged in former sherry or bourbon casks, augmenting the cask influence. External conditions such as air temperature, pressure and humidity also interact with the cask producing a knock-on effect that makes the spirit inside unique.
Finn uses these factors to balance each FT whisky experience. He may sample a cask and decide to leave it on the rack, allowing age to further develop its personality. He might decide to re-rack a whisky in a new cask to add a finishing touch. Or, he might simply deem it ready. When Finn decides the flavour is perfectly balanced, it’s time to bottle the whisky.
My grandfather’s impact on my whisky journey has of course been monumental and many of my cask selections for Finn Thomson Whisky have a direct link to him and his personality. This Linkwood however is inspired by my late grandmother Rosemary. Rosemary moved to Scotland from Jamaica when she was 18 to study at St Andrews University where she met my grandfather and eventually settled in Perth.
made multiple trips to the island to reconnect with family members and discover more about my roots.
Linkwood has a quiet, elegant charm, light, floral, and naturally fruity. You get crisp apple, pear, soft honey, and a gentle breeze of blossom. Its smooth, refined character comes from the distillery’s clear wort, long fermentation, and its unwavering commitment to doing things the traditional way.
That delicacy isn’t accidental. It’s born from practices Linkwood has stubbornly protected over the years: a crystal-clear, unfiltered wort that sets the foundation for purity; long, patient fermentation that coaxes out layers of fruit and fragrance; and a steadfast commitment to preserving the distillery’s original environment and way of working.
This cask release is a tribute to this side of my story. I have always wanted to create something that has a link to Jamaica so when I was offered Jamaican rum casks I jumped at the opportunity to experiment with them in a series of cask finishes. This is the first of them - an 11 year old Linkwood finished for a year in Jamaican rum. I think it has worked like a dream.
The natural fruity qualities of Linkwood have been elevated by the tropical notes of the rum with an added demerara sweetness coming through strongly.
My grandfather’s impact on my whisky journey has of course been monumental and many of my cask selections for Finn Thomson Whisky have a direct link to him and his personality. This Linkwood however is inspired by my late grandmother Rosemary. Rosemary moved to Scotland from Jamaica when she was 18 to study at St Andrews University where she met my grandfather and eventually settled in Perth.
made multiple trips to the island to reconnect with family members and discover more about my roots.
Linkwood has a quiet, elegant charm, light, floral, and naturally fruity. You get crisp apple, pear, soft honey, and a gentle breeze of blossom. Its smooth, refined character comes from the distillery’s clear wort, long fermentation, and its unwavering commitment to doing things the traditional way.
That delicacy isn’t accidental. It’s born from practices Linkwood has stubbornly protected over the years: a crystal-clear, unfiltered wort that sets the foundation for purity; long, patient fermentation that coaxes out layers of fruit and fragrance; and a steadfast commitment to preserving the distillery’s original environment and way of working.
This cask release is a tribute to this side of my story. I have always wanted to create something that has a link to Jamaica so when I was offered Jamaican rum casks I jumped at the opportunity to experiment with them in a series of cask finishes. This is the first of them - an 11 year old Linkwood finished for a year in Jamaican rum. I think it has worked like a dream.
The natural fruity qualities of Linkwood have been elevated by the tropical notes of the rum with an added demerara sweetness coming through strongly.