As we look back on the launch of Epic Drams, we can’t help but feel a sense of pride and gratitude. Our first release, a 10-year-old Linkwood from Linkwood distillery, has been a journey worth celebrating. I want to begin by sincerely thanking all our customers for your enthusiastic support and trust in us as a new independent bottler. Your response has been overwhelming and affirms that our approach to quality single cask whisky resonates with true enthusiasts.
Choosing Linkwood for our debut wasn’t coincidental. Founded in 1821 by Peter Brown, Linkwood distillery has earned a sterling reputation among Scottish malt distillers for producing elegant, delicately floral whiskies with hints of honey and orchard fruits.
What makes Linkwood special is their traditional background in whisky-making. Long fermentation periods and wooden washbacks enhance the spirit’s complexity, creating a distinctive character that blenders have prized for generations. Though much of its production has been sold to premium blends, Linkwood’s independent bottlings have gained a loyal following for their subtle yet refined character.
The distillery’s commitment to tradition borders on the superstitious—historically, they wouldn’t even allow spiders’ webs to be dusted away or grass to be cut around the buildings, fearing it might alter their whisky’s fruity profile! This dedication has helped Linkwood maintain its reputation for consistently premium malt whisky since distilling it two centuries ago.
What struck me most about this Linkwood when we selected this cask was how it balances complexity with approachability. The nose presents fresh, herbaceous notes that immediately transport you to Speyside. On the palate, that initial soft caramel develops into more complex vegetal hints with that signature Linkwood character that experienced drinkers recognise.
Despite its 57.8% ABV cask strength, it’s remarkably drinkable —a quality many customers have noted. The natural texture provides substantial mouthfeel while maintaining a surprisingly fresh profile.
The feedback from our first customers has been very encouraging:
One customer noted “sweet apples, lemon, and freshly mown hay” on the nose, with “lemon sherbet, almonds, and butterscotch” on the palate, finding it “not at all overpowering despite the high ABV.”
Another praised both the whisky and packaging, calling it “remarkably smooth for a 10-year-old at cask strength,” while a third described it as “full and round with new notes developing all the time.”
Several customers noted the whisky’s accessibility, with one mentioning “a wee bit of a spicy kick at the back yet sweet,” and another detecting “peppermint, wine gums, green apples” on the nose and “malty cereals, milk chocolate, vanilla ice-cream” on the palate—interestingly adding that it’s “best without water.”
These range experiences confirm something We’ve always believed about Scottish malt whisky: each bottle creates connections. What’s particularly fascinating is how many customers found this Linkwood best enjoyed without water, despite its cask strength—testament to the quality of the spirit that Peter Brown’s distillery legacy continues to produce.
As we prepare our upcoming releases, we find ourselves reflecting on what made our first Linkwood bottling so special. It wasn’t just about finding an exceptional cask; it was about showcasing what makes this distillery a hidden gem among Speyside representatives in our planned range.
Our Miltonduff release has started production and will be our second distillery exploration, continuing our journey through Speyside’s rich landscape of flavours. This expansion of our production schedule reflects our commitment to highlighting the diversity within Scotland’s whisky regions, with each bottling carefully selected to demonstrate the unique characteristics that make each distillery special.
Like Linkwood, Miltonduff has historically contributed significantly to blends, with much of its production sold to major blending houses. By presenting it as a single cask bottling, we’re offering whisky enthusiasts the opportunity to experience its distinctive profile in its purest form—something that aligns perfectly with our founding vision.
We remain steadfast in our founding principles: highlighting authentic distillery character, maintaining natural presentation without chill-filtration or artificial colouring, pricing fairly to ensure accessibility, and focusing on whiskies meant to be opened and enjoyed rather than collected. Our goal is to create a range that tells the story of Scotland’s diverse whisky heritage, one exceptional cask at a time.
We wanted our first release to reflect our philosophy that malt whisky is the “water of life”—meant to be appreciated and savoured, not left gathering dust. From the feedback we’ve received about our Linkwood bottling, it seems we’ve taken a step in the right direction.
Thank you to everyone who took a chance on a new independent bottler. Your support has made this journey worthwhile, and we can’t wait to share what’s next in our exploration of Scotland’s finest distilleries.
Epic Drams is an independent whisky bottler focusing on unique expressions from Scotland’s top distilleries.
Explore our selection of single cask whiskies, each captures the unique character and tradition of its origin. Each cask has been bottled straight from the cask without any dilution, filtering or interference of any kind to preserve its distinctive, authentic profile.
Sign up for a birthday discount and for whisky release information of exceptional single casks, available exclusively through Epic Drams.
This site is restricted for visitors 18 or above.
