Loch Lomond: Highland character, Scandinavian allure
Loch Lomond is one of the more remarkable distilleries in Scotland, due to having quite a range of different stills to make whisky with. This means they can mix it up and create interesting combinations. The Remarkable Stills Collection wants to celebrate this “breadth of capability and spirit possibilities”, as they write on their website. There are four releases, with only one expression that states an age. This is the one we taste today.
A sample was kindly gifted to me by Ambassador for Sweden, Johan Andersson. He is the organiser of the Springbank Stallion events that I partake in every year in January. A group of enthusiasts with a strong heart for Kintyre and Campbeltown gathers there and do interesting tastings. That is where I first learned of this Loch Lomond. So here goes, a whisky finished on Swedish oak gifted to me by a Swede.
Loch Lomond 13 years old, bottled at 47,3 % abv
First things first: This Loch Lomond is a Travel Retail Exclusive and bottled in 1 litre bottles. The whisky was finished in Swedish oak. It is part of the Remarkable Stills Collection and this bottle carries the name “Remarkable Ingenuity”.
Upon Sipping: Swedish oak must be a rare thing in a country known for needle-leaved species! On the other hand, for such a tall country, the surface reaches through many tree growth regions. This Loch Lomond certainly profits from the beautifully added wood influences. It is darker with some orange fruits infused in it. After a while, a more dominant vanilla emerges, but it stays harmonious with other notes. Quite complex to nose, and very clearly enlarging the Highland character of this particular Loch Lomond. The spirit came from both the straight neck and swan neck stills.
Taking a sip, the Loch Lomond turns out to be a slightly bitter and subtle smoky character. Almost feels as if there is a liquid smoke in your mouth. Quite remarkable, very ingenious, I totally get where the marketing team got these names from for this bottle. It is obviously a very unique malt.
On repeated sipping there is more chocolate to be found, but the bitter note stays perfectly balanced. With water: more minty notes, and the taste loses some integration, so the strength is just right, no need to temper with it yourself.
Word to the Wise: I am really taken by storm on this Loch Lomond. It has age and it has a delicate twist from the Swedish oak. A firm Highland character is the result, with Scandinavian allure.
Score: 87 points.
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