In addition to their cracking and what is in our opinion a much-underrated core range, Loch Lomond also know a thing or two about creating and releasing delicious sensory stories of the limited-edition variety.
Since becoming the official spirit of The Open sponsor in 2018, the Highlands based distillery has released a series of limited-editions, to help celebrate the annual golf championship. And despite this year's competition being postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they still managed to release a rather exciting limited-edition bottling, created using Chardonnay wine yeast.
Putting two fingers up to COVID and continuing their association with all things golf, in June Loch Lomond announced a new additional partnership with the European Tour, and guess what, they released five dramspankingly new limited-edition bottlings to mark the occasion.
The Loch Lomond European Tour UK Swing Range, celebrates the venues that were selected to host the six-week long event. All five whiskies were matured in bourbon casks, before being finished in a variety of different oak casks for between 12 to 18 months.
Loch Lomond Betfred British Masters Exclusive
- Close House -
Limousin Oak Cask - Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(57.4% ABV)
Nose: Steamed syrup sponge pudding, Jamaican spiced bun, white chocolate, grilled peaches, mixed candied peel and a tin of Del Monte fruit cocktail.
Palate: Tinned prunes in syrup, wood spice, clove studded orange, ginger nut biscuits, caramel sauce, aniseed twists and a tease of tarragon.
Finish: A tangy, spice led finish, that lingers on and on…
Loch Lomond Hero Open Exclusive
- Forest of Arden -
Sauternes Wine Cask - Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(57.7% ABV)
Nose: Freshly sliced pineapple, bourbon steeped sultanas, pancakes with a good drizzling of maple syrup, vanilla fudge and a hint of something window putty-esque.
Palate: A wedge of pineapple upside down cake drenched in vanilla custard, bread pudding, Tunes cherry lozenges, demerara sugar, charred oak and more of those bourbon steeped sultanas.
Finish: A sweet, sumptuous finish, that results in the eager licking of lips.
Loch Lomond English Championship Exclusive
- Hanbury Manor -
Rum Cask - Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(57.7% ABV)
Nose: Spiced poached pears, grilled pineapple rings, preserved lemons, chocolate covered ginger biscuits, freshly baked baklava and a pinch of white pepper.
Palate: Pear drops, pineapple cubes, white grapes, key lime pie, chocolate bourbon biscuits, the pastry from a McDonalds apple pie, Häagen-Dazs dulce de leche ice cream, mixed spice and more of that white pepper.
Finish: A long lingering, fabulously fruity and pronounced peppery finish.
Loch Lomond Wales Open and Celtic Classic Exclusive
- Celtic Manor -
Oloroso Sherry Cask - Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(58.2% ABV)
Nose: Tarmac, sweet peat smoke, treacle tart, tea stewed prunes, sherry soaked sultanas, orange oil, toffee apples and a generous slice of Black forest gâteau.
Palate: More of that tarmac and sweet peat smoke, toasted granary bread smeared with salted butter and orange marmalade, Jamaica ginger cake, dark chocolate covered coffee beans and wood spice.
Finish: An enthralling long finish, that delights and delivers as much as the nose and palate.
Loch Lomond UK Championship Exclusive
- The Belfry -
Tawny Port Cask - Single Malt Scotch Whisky
(57.7% ABV)
Nose: Peat smoke, raspberries, blackberries, orange zest, spiced baked apples, stewed rhubarb, Jammie dodger biscuits, Millionaire's shortbread, macadamia nuts, five spice and something rather minerally.
Palate: Sweet peat smoke, spiced apple strudel, salted caramel, strawberry jam tarts, clove studded orange, freeze dried raspberries, chocolate covered raisins, aniseed twists, sweet oak, white pepper and something decisively vinous.
Finish: A feisty drying finish, that highlights all its Tawny Port influences.
A quaffable quintet of uniquely individual releases, which not only highlights the quality and versatility of Loch Lomond’s spirit, but also provides a great liquid education lesson into the influences of each bottlings respective finishing cask.
