Loch Lomond whisky is on an upward trajectory that shows no sign of slowing
Loch Lomond whisky has its beginnings in the 19th century, but its modern identity was forged in the 1960s when the previous owners of Littlemill took over the ailing distillery by the loch in Alexandria, less than an hours drive from Glasgow.
Now owned by equity firm Exponent and in a stable that includes Littlemill, Glen Scotia and others, it is on an upward trajectory that shows no sign of slowing. The distillery output received a major rebrand in 2020 and took on the title sponsorship of the Open, the oldest and one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world. These were the first two signals that the new brand owners had ambitions for the distillery that reached beyond the loch. It has added more sponsorships to its portfolio, including a three-year deal to be the title sponsor of the United Rugby Championship. To underline its global outlook it has also increased its international sales from 10% in 2014 to a reported 70% today.
Its vintage releases are gaining popularity every month and it is quickly moving towards a luxury brand identity that celebrates its use of long-neck and column stills, a choice that once divided opinion.
Here are three of our Loch Lomond bottles to help you get to know the brand better.
Loch Lomond 18
This 2020 rebrand of the Loch Lomond 18 is required to do a lot of heavy lifting for its owners. It sits in the middle of the age-range and is an obvious next step for anyone already acquainted with the 12- or 14-year-olds.
As such, its job is to entice you even deeper into the brand and show you exactly what those extra years in cask can achieve. Matured fully in ex-American casks, this fine single malt is helped by its parents by being at a very attractive price point for an 18-year-old malt.
The jump from 12 years to 18 is distinct in this 46% bottling and delivers a smooth and creamy whisky that is defined by its rich fruit flavours and honey and malt notes.
Loch Lomond 30
The team at Loch Lomond brought nine medals back from San Francisco World Spirits 2021 but it was the double gold for their 30-year-old single malt that they seemed most proud of.
This 47% single malt is a non-peated product of their straight-neck stills and is a standard bearer for the brand. Matured in ex-American oak, half of the whisky was then finished in oloroso sherry before marrying both parts for this release.
Fans rave about the exemplary fruit flavours of kiwi, gooseberry and lime that are attributed to the long-neck still type while taking massive enjoyment from the sherry element and the aroma and flavour derived from all those years in oak.
Loch Lomond 45
This super-premium release from Loch Lomond heralds the future for this ambitious brand. The first of a series of vintage releases under the title the Remarkable Stills Series, it has managed to turn heads wherever fine whisky is consumed.
Only 200 bottles of this 42.2% single malt were released, making it the rarest expression from the distillery to date. Collectors have been particularly interested and its value has climbed steadily since it came to market in 2021.
Matured in ex-American casks for most of its 4.5 decades, it was then finished in oloroso sherry casks to give it a distinct sweet and richly complex flavour.
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