Campbeltown Loch Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

(2023 Version) Kept my expectations low because of Campbelltown hype and the low price. How good could it really be? I was so surprised how much I love this stuff. This is a great introduction to a region many have a hard time breaking into. This is a funky, malty pour that is a homerun for the price.

The nose is mango, tangerine, pear, raisin, dried cherry, salty ocean spray, slight industrial funk. On the palate the fruit basket continues, then pepper, then dark chocolate. Supposedly Longrow is in the mix, but I’m not getting much in the way of peat. There was the slight industrial note more on the nose than the palate. Seems like Hazelburn and Glen Scotia are playing the most prominent roles in the blend, although there are moments when it feels as if Springbank and Kilkerran pop in for brief cameos. I’d prefer they had starring roles, but as a fan of pretty much anything out of Campbeltown, it’s still a winner for me. Price is fair-ish for what you get, but I’m not sure I’d go much higher than the $60 I bought it for. Update: halfway through the bottle, it seems like some peat is emerging and the fruit flavors are receding. Interesting, and makes me enjoy this even more.