Tastes

This came in a 3x 50ml taster set. It was on special so it was a good opportunity to see what’s going on with this very modestly priced new range from Loch Lomond. Well... this one falls into the NAS budget malts. You pay for what you get although for the money I would prefer a malt blend like monkey shoulders. Nose: Very light on aroma but the smells that flit into focus are mostly pleasant. Vanilla Blend of fruit juices Very faint second hand cigarette smoke Arrival: Dilute, nothing shows until development Watery There isn’t even a youthful kick There is the odd claim “smoothed to perfection” on the label. It’s not telling lies you could down this bottle without a splutter. Development: Soft here too, A little toffee A little... little! Peaty hint Finish: Barley husk dry Menthol herbal I’m glad I tasted this in a sample bottle. Perhaps a bad move from the marketing placing it in with the 12 and 18.

Big love for this high proof, high distillery character malt. This is a delicious NAS that revels in brightness and youthful shine. Nose: Complex barley aroma Sweet floral honeysuckle Briney sea spray Bright vanilla essence Crushed mint Very faint liquorice Arrival: Sweet nectar Classic Bruichladdich grain sweetness Fresh sweet Herbal Beeswax Development: Slight vintage cheddar tang Soft wood tannins Slight front of palate green Thai chilli Finish: Cherry tomato savoury Light White tea Soft menthol Stevia leaf I enjoy this malt every time and the complexity demands you take time to notice it.

This is priced very fairly where I’m from. It is (for me) the “don’t think too hard about it drink”. When your palate is compromised by some delicious food and your sitting by a fire chatting with friends, this is the go to 1L bottle. Nose: banana skin Sweet thin corn Youthful fumes Vanilla custard Arrival: Viscous toffee Thins out quickly in the palate Brown sugar Soft pepper Burned marshmallows Development: Fresh lemon rind A little oily Maple syrup Fresh sappy wood tannin Finish: Charred oak note Fairly clean Little clove Little teabag This is the guilty pleasure, slightly smoother JD. It’s cheap its accessible and you just shouldn’t scrutinise it too hard. Just like that song from the 80s that rolls through your head when your driving, don’t question it just go along with it and don’t ask questions. Enjoy!

Bottled in France at 43% from American new oak barrels it offers a little more than the standard budget bourbon. For the modest price (for a 12yo) I imagine many people use it as a mixer but it is quite pleasant neat. Finding the right water ratio is tricky, the nose opens with water but it drowns the taste. At this price why not pour two glasses and have both. Nose: Lemon candy Buttered Dill Green Banana skin Vanilla Fresh oak Arrival: Apple juice sweetness Vegetal tang Wood char Development: Quinine Tangy tannins Cinnamon Orange peel Finish: Wood spice Dried banana chips Soft menthol A fancy bottle and an elaborate plastic twist top lid gives a “half way there” vibe that translates (in a perhaps unintended way) what should be expected from the contents. A tasty bourbon that is smooth enough to not offend you drinking it neat. Sweet enough but not cloying and spicy enough to be savoured without the solvent notes that sometimes come with this price tag.

A refreshing and tasty malt. At 40% and chill filtered it is NOT flattering it’s way into the “top affordable malts” and offers too little to fit into the “bottom of the premium malts”. Would love to see this at a better price or at a higher ABV. NOSE: soft dry green apples Fresh herb Wood shop shavings Butterscotch Vanilla ARRIVAL: Syrupy clean white sugar Vanilla ice cream Pear cider DEVELOPMENT: oak (fresh) Lemon essence FINISH: Deep earthy cheese like Camembert Dry Tannins Little white pepper burn Wet popsicle woodyness Way out at the end is a soft spearmint finish Very friendly malt and quite pretty. Sadly the same could be said about many more delicious and affordable singles that didn’t win the popularity contest.

A Little Whisky” You’ll notice I say the phrase “a little” before a lot of notes. That’s because this malt (in my opinion) is subtle and light in flavour. Still pretty and priced accordingly. Nose: Opens with a drop of water but still very light on the nose Musk sticks Perfume floral Fresh baked Brioche Cream soda Honey Tinned peaches Arrival: Syrupy Brown sugar Blanched Orange rind Light sugar Cinnamon (like on a doughnut) Development: Orange rind acidity on the tongue A little sappy A little Spicy (baking spice) Finish: medium dry finish A little Numbing clove Burned biscuit (like roasting coffee) Cocoa nib bitter Value to be enjoyed! Grab it when it’s on special I love the striking branding on the tube but I think if it was to reflect its contents the colour theme should be soft “musk stick” pink.

One of my all time favourite malts! It just hits all the right notes for me plus it’s (don’t tell them) so well priced for what you get. I wish there were more available expressions in my part of the world. Nose: Toffee Gentle floral banana Turkish delight Dandelion honey Floral Lavender (like laundry soap) Fresh bailed lucerne Arrival: Instant sweet herbal Chewable Vitamin c tablet Honey Toffee Black english breakfast tea Mustard seed and Nutmeg Development: Jasmine tea Candied Ginger Faint kindling smoke Finish: Mandarin skin Lingering oolong tea with that synthetic sweet and menthol.

“Rich/sweet/spicy/complex” Nose: Vanilla pod Toasted marshmallow Fresh sweet wood notes Boiled candy Sandalwood incense Minty menthol Barley sugar Crisp Nashi pear at the end Arrival: Dried cherry Vanilla custard Spicy sharpness like pepper Cinnamon A little salty Development: Buttered toast Nutmeg Ginger powder Anaesthetising clove Finish: Youthful burn hidden mostly by sherry cask spice Lingering clove on the lips Medium dry wood followed by a salivating bitter sweetness Black tea Cigar (sweet) Great value, worth every cent for the taste experience. A sweet/rich/spicy scotch for an affordable price. Should be on everyone’s shelf.

“The messy break up” It’s like a previously friendly Irish pot still developed a vengeful grudge for you. Could pass for an 8-12yo but no age stated Nose: (First off pour) paint thinners and sweet fresh tobacco. Let it sit in glass 5-10mins 1tsp water Medicinal / vanilla Fresh herbal something dark in the back Baked zucchini? Mossy earth note Light Irish toffee Sweet barley (Irish pot still style) Lemon juice Floral Arrival: Gentle with only a little spice Like a concentrated white wine Syrupy Soft peat influence Toffee Development: Sour.... grapefruit pith Lemon peel You really taste the grainy barley Finish: Lingering dry Clove Warm sour dry. Great value for a very unique whiskey I like it!

Being un-chill filtered lends and interesting oily complexity. Pretty great experience for the money and age statement. Opens with water and a little time. Smell: Earthy Menthol Slightly bitter Tea tree Cane sugar Lemon myrtle Dry Sushi sheets Arrival: Heavy round Salty sour Citrus peel Mock coconut Development: Little spice, faint Thai chilli Dark hardwood Dry Lemon grass Finish: Lingering spice, Clove and pepper Faintest Kindling fire smoke