Loch Lomond Releases Oldest Single Malt Whisky
During the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024, Loch Lomond won 21 awards in 2018. Following the accolades, it recently packaged its oldest spirit, a 50-year-old single malt whisky. The expression rushes to the market this July.
In 1973, this whisky was distilled from unpeated barley and was aged in refill ex-bourbon barrels for over 38 years. Loch Lomond’s unique distilling blends orchard fruits, sweet honey, and light smoke, and as it ages, more of the original character disappears.
As the whisky matures, it goes into first fill ex-bourbon barrels. These casks are active and impart tropical fruits, vanilla, and spices to the whisky. After six years, it is then finished in a single Oloroso sherry hogshead, aging for six more years.
Loch Lomond Rolls New 50-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky
Unfortunately, only one hundred bottles will be available on sale which will use a special decanter. The limited edition will become available on the Loch Lamonds website and at selected retailers worldwide. The new 50-year-old whisky will fetch about $37,000 each.
“The decision to re-cask a whisky of this quality and age is not something I take lightly,” said master blender Michael Henry, who joined the distillery in 2007.
“However, the complexity and depth of flavor brought by the first-fill Bourbon and the oloroso Sherry casks have made this a truly special single malt, which provides a window into our past and captures the original style of whisky-making at Loch Lomond Distillery.”
Loch Lomond 50-Year-Old Tasting Notes
ABV: 42.6% (cask strength)
Color: A reflective bronze, far lighter than most whiskies of this age.
Nose: Remarkably light and floral for such an old Scotch whisky. Orange peel, blossom honey, tinned peaches, and whisps of peppermint. Some tropical fruit in the mix like mango and pineapple.
Palate: A light spirit on the palate, almost like water, but full of flavor. Lots of American oak influences like coconut, caramel, and vanilla. Some light spiciness emerges through, like nutmeg and ginger.
Finish: A long finish that dramatically evolves into those classic sherried notes: dried fruit, cherries, and sweet spices like cinnamon.
