Loch Lomond 12 Year

I’m winding my way towards the end of our trade group’s fifth round of samples. Up next: Loch Lomond 12 year. Loch Lomond is one of the southern-most Highland distilleries in Scotland. They also produce single malt and single grain whisky. This single malt is 46%, isn’t chill filtered, but does have added color. Speaking of color, its a shiny new copper and it makes lots of legs while leaving a lot of droplets when you give it a spin. On the nose, it’s pretty malty with a healthy dose of vanilla extract. Some orchard fruits are present along with some hints of oak cask and alcohol. The palate is relatively similar with a nice bit of peaches coming out more than anything else. The maltyness leans more towards toffee than simple syrupy. It’s also relatively creamy. The finish winds down with more peaches before turning a bit dry. It’s medium length and the sweetness lingers on until you take another sip. Solid all the way around. A big thanks to my buddy @Generously_Paul for adding this one to our friendly little tour. This was a very enjoyable malt that I wouldn’t mind having more of this one. Perhaps I’ll search for an older bottle and see how well that one plays out. 3.75 stars. Cheers, my friends.

süsse Eiche, Früchte, Gewürzen, Hauch von Rauch

The nose brought watermelons, lilacs, soapiness, graham crackers, vanilla, along with a little smoke. The palate did not match that though, but a medium mouth coat. Sulfuric tannin, spices, and woody notes came through. The toffee and vanilla finish was short and dry. Well balanced, but not in my wheelhouse. 3.25. The theme to this dram should be "It's Only Rock and Roll (But I Like It)" by the Rolling Stones because of all the soap in the video. Classic! Thanks so much for the sample @Generously_Paul!

Stop number 75 on the SDT is Loch Lomond. This Highland distillery is fairly unique in that it produces both single malt and single grain whiskies. They make their own blended scotch under the Loch Lomond label and have two other brands under the Loch Lomond name; Inchmurrin and Inchmoan. It’s a fairly young distillery as well, having been established in 1964. This 12 year old is bottled at 46% ABV and is non chill filtered. It seems that there is a generous amount of colorant added making it an amber color. Floral at first on the nose with plenty of heather honey. Sweet bourbon oak. Ripe orchard fruits, apricots, peaches, clementines, orange juice, lemon/lime and grilled apricots (yes I said apricots twice but I picked up on two different styles). Vanilla, creamy and a bit nutty - maybe hazelnut or Brazil. Earthy peat and a thread of smoke. The peat is subtle but serves as a much needed layer of complexity. A few tropical notes like pineapple and kiwi come in. Salty with a bit of ginger and a touch of herbs. If you let a small amount sit in the glass long enough, some light syrupy goodness shows itself. The palate starts with tangy orange/pineapple juice. Apricots, nectarines and peaches. Tropical notes like coconut, papaya or maybe passion fruit. A nice vanilla buttercream, honey and floral notes. Cardboard, oak, a touch salty and a vague nuttiness. Earthy peat underneath all of it, but not quite smoky. Medium bodied mouthfeel that is mouthwatering and mouth coating but turns dry. A medium long finish with floral peat, peaches, apricots and pineapple. Dry and the peaty feel lingers on. A surprisingly solid dram. A typical Highland single malt made atypical with a respectable amount of peat. Without that peat it would have probably been white noise amongst a cacophony of Highland stridulation. Though there may be better Highland single malts out there, this one does stand out. At $73 it’s a bit overpriced for a 12 year old, but only just. Recommend for those who enjoy a mid level peat with lots of fruits. A solid 4. Cheers

Oh my god, I really didn’t expect to like this. After a run of bad to sub-par drams the last few times, I was ready for a let down. But, wow...this is good. Sample provided by @Generously_Paul as part of our round 5 trading. Tasted blind, I’d have thought I’m having cognac. Fruit salad aroma, like that sweetened type that comes in a can. In a good way. More sweet fruits on the palette. Sugared plums, sweetened cherries. Just a tinge of chalky alkaline st the finish. One of those where i’ll personally look into getting a bottle at some point. Great after dinner dessert dram.