Tasting 3 Loch Lomonds

Perhaps the least popular distillery in all of Scotland? I have had one very good Loch Lomond from Murray McDavid, but other than that it seems miles between each winner. The reason I do this tasting now is mainly because I had two Glencraig's (Glenburgies from Lomond stills) which is a distilling tradition not used anymore, other than by Loch Lomond Distillery. I didn't think too much of that style, so let's see if I can find another reason these stills are still around in todays tasting.



Glen Douglas 4yo 2001-2006 45% OB cask#333 btl.47/340

From a bourbon cask. Bottled at just 4 years of age, will this be a spirity one? White wine color. Smells spirity, raw chopped onions, licorice, oaky. The taste is sweet and bitter, caipairinha, not bad, now flaws, just extremely light. I'd say this sweet stuff is more like a mix of 20% banana cream liqueur mixed with 80% vodka. It doesn't even remind me of whisky, but I'm sure I could mix some good drinks with this as a base.

Too young: 2.5


Croftengea 4yo 2003-2007 45% OB cask#1 btl.637/885

From a sherry cask, with lots of cask sediments. Is this un-filtered? That would be amazing. light golden hue. Smells smoky, ashy, dry bitter, amoroso wine, honey. Much better thus far than the GD. The taste is young and light, once again no flaws, just that its very light. Maybe some water will make it more complex? Water makes it burnt. Once again it's a whisky bottled way too early, and it has some way to go before I'd consider it a worthy whisky.

Too young, and a bit spirity: 2


Loch Lomond 18yo 43% OB

This is the oldest LL I've had so far. It's not much old stock around unfortunately. It's never been an IB favorite, and most OB's are bottled at very young age although there were a limited 50yo OB out not long ago. Full golden color. Smells light and oaky, ginger, vanilla, herbal, floral, butterscotch, burnt sugar, vodka. The taste is burnt and phenolic, with malt syrup and paint thinner. Sweet and disgustingly phenolic and spirity. After a while of breathing, that spiritiness fades away and leaves room for more floral notes, heather and. A very soft whisky, which could be very fun trying if bottled at cask strength. I am sure there are some much older stock than 18yo thrown in the mix here. Water is not needed, I don't think such a soft whisky could expand much more tastewise. I have tried diluting for science sake, and it didn't help.

Best one in this session, but it seems the spirits lacks some character: 4.5



Next tasting: Mixed Single Malt Session