The Loch Lomond isn’t as popular as your regular Glens, but still comes laden with history dating as far back as 1814 with the Loch Lomond distillery. However by the mid 1800s, it ceased production and almost a century later was born again under the Littlemill distillery.

This Highland based distillery has quite a lot going on for themselves, the secret sauce(s) that gives them the diversity to produce a breadth of malt and grain spirits. The choice of peated and non peated barley, a repertoire of yeast strains they leverage in the fermentation process; their fermentation which in itself extends to an unusually long 92 hrs and sometimes even more.

Then there’s the choice of stills from column to copper pot stills; from long swan necks to straight necks – giving them the opportunity to distill at various cuts, offering spirits at varied strengths with a spread of lighter or heavier compounds. The distillery also houses its very own cooperage, allowing greater freedom and control over their aging process.

The long swan neck stills are used particularly in the production of malt whisky and allow for longer interaction between distillate and copper, giving yield to a lighter spirit. The Lomond 12 is distilled in a similar fashion, and matured in a combination of ex-bourbon American oak barrels, re-fill and those that have been re-charred at their in-house cooperage.

ABV : 46%

Eye : Amontillado Sherry | Artificial Colouring |Non Chill Filtered

Nose : Mild notes of vanilla, accompanied by smoke and white pepper, some allspice with hints of ginger shavings. Tropical nuances, some zest, pears, raisins with earthy medicinal notes.

Taste : Plums, peaches with a hint of mangoes, vanilla and smoked wood. Not a lot of spice, maybe a pinch of pepper, some rye and spice.

Finish : Medium | Smoked wood with a dried mango like influence, leading into earthy mossy notes.

This one’s very interesting, you are greeted with mildly sweet and tropical influences on the nose, but the experience enravels itself as you dowse the palate with the whisky. The peach – plum combo is unorthodox but welcoming and the mango influences quite surreal. There’s a robust earthy and smoky flavour that emanates towards the end, extending well into the finish. The spice is quite muted, more so on the palate than the nose. I would assume the 12 has been vatted with smokier malts, in addition to the contribution from its re-charred barrels.

At around AUD $90, this is priced a bit higher than most 12s, but does offer a unique proposition on the palate. It has a good mouthfeel and starts light getting a bit heavier as you go. It isn’t as complex, and does not have much depth but it does fair well, punching over what one would term average. It’s one that is worth a grab, unique and isn’t too dear. Let me know your thoughts, another 6-7 on the rating scale!

Slainte Mhath!