There are good things happening at Loch Lomond. The Highland distillery in the picturesque surroundings of Loch Lomond has been producing whisky since 1814 and 210 years later we can be grateful for that longevity.
After picking up 17 awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2023 including eight double golds, it has now picked up the top score of any Scotch at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) in 2024.
In fact, two Loch Lomond whiskies picked up a score of 98 out of 100 by expert tasters, a feat unmatched by any other distillery. The unpeated, citrussy 12 YO Inchmurrin was one of them and the other was the distillery's distillery's signature 12-year single malt.
Priced under £40, there is a good argument to be made that pound for pound Loch Lomond 12 year single malt is the best whisky in the world this year. But how good is the Loch Lomond that is wowing judges across the world this year?
I picked up a 70cl bottle from Master of Malt, confident that it would be worth every penny. If you are not as sure then you can also order a tasting miniature before taking the plunge.
So what is Loch Lomond? It's brought together by Master Blender Michael Henry, whose signature is reassuringly on the bottle. It is created using the distilliery's signature straight neck stills alongside the more traditional swan neck versions, before being aged in a trio of different casks. All come are American oak and include bourbon, refill and re-charred. The whisky is then bottled at 46% and non-chill filtered.
On the nose the whisky is full of fruit. Apples and pear notes come through strongly. It is rich and satisfying - and I do not say that lightly given my usual proclivity for heavily peated drams.
The palate is another nice suprise. Do not expect any smoke but instead Loch Lomond puts you in mind of visiting an orchard. Smooth and full, it offers strong notes of sweet apple with a hint of spice. There are richer tones too, with a subtle malt often described as a 'biscuit' taste. I did not get any of the vanilla from the tasting notes but it does not need it. Overall it is a fresh, summer dram with plenty of flavour.
The whisky is complex for a sub-£40 dram and the finish finally drops some vanilla hints. There is a long finish with some drying spice too.
How does my experience compare to the experts? On giving the award, the IWSC judges said: "A rounded, polished nose of summer fruit in a fog of peat smoke. Continuing to a lovely viscous texture on the palate with bright tropical fruit notes from melon, mango, peach, and grapefruit. Chewy with a wonderfully long and lingering finish."
Lack of peat smoke aside, I would agree. Loch Lomond is a fantastic, affordable whisky that should be top of anybody's shopping list for 2024.
It may not be the best whisky I have tasted this year but it is certainly one of the best value whiskies in the world at the moment. I would recommend it to anybody who wants to try the best the Highlands region has to offer and come Christmas I can see this being a popular gift for those who want to find the perfect affordable dram for a whisky lover.
You can buy Loch Lomond 12-year here.
