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Loch Lomond Group has announced the launch of Noble Rebel - a new blended malt Scotch whisky brand that, they say, creatively pushes boundaries in the pursuit of flavour creation.
Available in three distinct expressions – Orchard Outburst, Smoke Symphony and Hazelnut Harmony – the flavours of Noble Rebel are brought to life through a series of vivid illustrations that showcase the stories and tasting notes of each blend.
Each of the whiskies has achieved its flavour profile thanks to the distillation methods and casks available to the Loch Lomond Group,
The Scotch Whisky Association doesn't allow flavouring to be added, so distillers need to work with yeasts, still shape and size and casks to achieve a desired flavour.
This launch comes at a time when recent data shows that 34 per cent of 18-24 year-olds want to see more flavoured whisky, such as honey and caramel flavours. It's a similar story for the 35–54 age bracket, who also chose flavoured products.
Matured in ex-bourbon casks, Orchard Outburst has tasting notes of crisp, ripe orchard fruits with salty notes, resulting in an explosion of zest with hints of zingy lemon and lime.
This malt contains whisky distilled with Chardonnay wine yeast, an unusual ingredient in whisky distillation which helps to intensify fruit and citrus flavours in the finished blend.
Smoke Symphony is the smoky one, with hints of peat smoke and a spicy kick. This smoke is complemented by subtle berry tartness.
Finished in Rioja wine casks, Smoke Symphony conveys notes of smoke, spice and dark berries.
Hazelnut Harmony mingles nuts with a hint of sweet honeycomb, with pear and oak.
Completing the trio of expressions, Hazelnut Harmony is finished in toasted American oak casks, which adds a sweet flavour of honey, vanilla and hazelnut to the whisky.
Each blended, no-age-statement malt whisky is non-chill filtered, natural in colour and bottled at 46% ABV, and cost £40.
Each Noble Rebel expression is distilled, matured and blended under the expert eye of master blender, Michael Henry, at Loch Lomond Distillery.
Using a combination of traditional swan-neck, and its signature high and low-cut straight-neck pot stills, Loch Lomond Distillery has a whisky-making capability like no other.
The straight-neck stills, which are entirely unique to the distillery, provide Michael with greater control over the distillation process, allowing him to carefully manipulate the flavour profile of each whisky.
Of the new releases, Michael said: “Noble Rebel is an exciting new addition to the growing Loch Lomond Group portfolio.
"At the heart of each expression is our shared passion for blending finely curated malts into a product of beauty.
"Bringing new ideas to old ways and deeply-rooted traditions, our drams are modern masterpieces that welcome newcomers with open arms, and delight old friends alike.”
Each edition of Noble Rebel blended malt whisky is available from 16 February on the Noble Rebel website.
Noble Rebel will also be available from 1 March 2023 at The Whisky Exchange.
Noble Rebel is part of the Loch Lomond Group, which also includes Glen Scotia, Littlemill and Loch Lomond Whiskies.
