3 from Netherfield - House Release, Linkwood 10 Yo and Blended Malt 13 Yo Double Wood Matured
From the Netherfield website
Based at Netherfield Estate in Strathaven, Scotland, The Netherfield is a spirit’s atelier that unites ancestral knowledge with contemporary precision. Guided by the belief that a spirit is defined by its structure – shaped as much by what is removed as by what is added.
House Release - 46%
Our House Release is a unique whisky that embodies the Netherfield dedication to quality, craftsmanship and creating a spirit of real character, perfect to share with family, friends, and those who appreciate a dram of true distinction. Loch Lomond Inchmurrin, non chill-filtered and natural colour
Tasting notes:
Appearance: Pale straw colour, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thick legs
Nose: Nectarines, tropical fruit, honey granola, and Sweet Pea florailty
Palate: Creamy, almost buttery mouthfeel, stone fruits, poached pear, mango ice cream, foam bananas, almond milk and a prickle of white pepper. Water softens much of the fruitiness and brings out more spice
Finish: Long lasting, tropical fruit, white pepper and a touch of woody oak which lingers after the other notes have dissipated
Overall: Easy sipper, great mouthfeel, light and very summery. Current price is £40, well worth a punt
Linkwood 10YO - 46%
A Rare Treasure: Linkwood is for the whisky enthusiast who seeks something unusual. Here is a spirit that exemplifies craftsmanship, rarity, and pure indulgence.
While it might not shout for attention like some of its counterparts, Linkwood has built a loyal following among connoisseurs and collectors who value its quiet sophistication.
Tasting notes:
Appearance: Straw colour, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thick legs
Nose: Crisp green apples, pear drops, fresh pineapple, icing sugar, lemon citrus, runny honey and a touch of Carnation florality
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, heather honey, ripe orchard fruit, vanilla, Ugli fruit citrus, cinnamon, white pepper and crystallised stem ginger. Water brings out more apple and a touch of woodiness
Finish: Long lasting, orchard fruit gradually disappears, leaving citrus, a soft herbal note and wood spice
Overall: A lovely refined summertime dram, light and floral with just a touch of spice to keep it interesting. Great value at £45
Blended Malt 13yo Double Wood Matured - 45%
The first five years were spent in American Oak Barrels and then the whisky was transferred to first fill Pedro Ximénez Puncheons from the Jerez region of Spain where it has been maturing for the past eight years and this is the first release of this fantastic whisky at age 13 YO.
Bottled at 45% ABV, it has not been chill-filtered, thus leaving in the wonderful oils typically stripped by this process.
Tasting notes:
Appearance: Burnished gold, forms a thin line which beads before eventually falling as slow, thick legs
Nose: Quite closed at first, sweet caramel sauce and icing sugar gradually develop, followed by tropical fruit, black liquorice and California raisins with longer time in the glass
Palate: Mouthcoatingly creamy, dark berries appear first on the front of the palate, followed by baked apples stuffed with raisins and drizzled in honey, subtle hints of dark fruit, nutty oak and white pepper prickle
Finish: Woody, softly tannic oak, baking spices, white pepper, a touch of menthol and dark roast coffee beans right at the close
Overall: Pleasant and enjoyable but nothing that really stands out to keep me interested. Instead it leaves me with a feeling of it being a little bit ‘generic’, but maybe that’s because I was hoping for something bigger and bolder from a whisky that has had 8 years maturing in PX puncheons. Even so, it’s decent quality and still great value at £45
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Summary: This was my first time trying anything from Netherfield, and as introductions go this was quite memorable. Whilst the House Release and Blended 13yo are both decent quality easy drinkers at a great price, the Linkwood was the real star of the show for me.
I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for Linkwood, even though it’s typical character is far removed from the big, robust-flavoured whiskies I tend to drink on a regular basis. There is just something so pleasing and elegant about the lightness of the spirit that makes it so perfect for a summer evening in the garden, and this bottling is no exception. Add to that a price of only £45 and you have an absolute bargain of a dram.
Netherfield may well be a new kid on the block and jumping into a very crowded and competitive market but, on the evidence of these three bottlings, the future looks bright.
If you would like more information on these whiskies, or The Netherfield company, follow the link to the company website.
Transparency: Received free of charge for independent review, all opinions are my own and remain completely impartial.
