Loch Lomond recently unveiled two new, limited single grain whiskies that put to barrel the distiller’s innovative range of whisky-making.
Loch Lomond Single Grain Distiller’s Choice and Loch Lomond Single Grain Cooper’s Collection Mizunara Cask Finish were brought together by Master Blender Michael Henry.
He explained in a statement from the distiller that they used only 100% malted barley with an additional long fermentation time. Then, they distilled in Loch Lomond’s all-copper Continuous ‘Coffey’ Still.
This still, Henry explained, helps create a spirit with layers of deep and elegant floral fruit notes, showcasing Loch Lomond’s capability in flavor creation through distillation.
Loch Lomond Single Grain Cooper’s Collection Mizunara Cask Finish is the first in a series of annual limited releases. Only 3,000 bottles were made, and the special edition is one of the rarest single grain whiskies to be released by Loch Lomond Whiskies.
Loch Lomond is one of only four distilleries in Scotland to have an on-site cooperage, which allows for barrel repairs and charring that are carried out to an exacting standard.
Loch Lomond Whiskies’ team of coopers worked with the master blender to craft this release, selecting higher age-statement whiskies to be matured in first and second fill American oak bourbon barrels.
This single grain whisky was then finished for six months in rare Mizunara Japanese oak casks. The result is a whisky of character, enhanced with fragrant spice derived from the Mizunara oak.
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Also new, Loch Lomond Single Grain Distiller’s Choice is a blend of Loch Lomond Whiskies’ aged single grains with layers of fruit and floral character. This single grain is matured in a selection of both first fill and second fill American oak bourbon barrels.
Both single grain whiskies are non-chill filtered and natural in color. Each black grain bottle is embossed with the Loch Lomond Whiskies’ logo in silver and carries Michael Henry’s signature.
“Crafted using our innovative Coffey still, these are two very special whiskies with distinct and diverse flavors,” Henry said. “Each expression has been crafted to showcase the floral fruit notes through distilling and the influence finishing has on our grain whisky through cask selection.”
The continuous still provides Loch Lomond Whiskies with greater control over the distillation process by allowing the spirit to be taken off at different plates and at specific strengths, shaping the flavor profile and character of the whisky at the point of distillation.
Loch Lomond Distillery can trace its distilling heritage back to 1814. Its current malt and grain distilleries, in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, near the banks of Loch Lomond, were commissioned in 1964 with first distillation in 1966.
The distiller’s notes for the two whiskies:
Loch Lomond Single Grain Distiller’s Choice
On the nose are deep floral and fruit notes of rose, violet, peach, pear and blackcurrant with vanilla and coconut, some honey and chocolate. The palate offers tart fruits of blackberry and green apple with golden barley before a long finish of vanilla fudge sweetness and gently warming cinnamon spice. It’s bottled at 48.8% ABV and has a suggested price of £50.
Loch Lomond Single Grain Cooper’s Collection Mizunara Cask
Loch Lomond Single Grain Cooper’s Collection Mizunara Cask combines rose, honeysuckle, blackcurrant and toasted oak on the nose. On the palate, there is sweet spice character with apple, sandalwood, honey and cinnamon, with a dry, warming oak spice finish. It’s bottled at 50% ABV and has a suggested price of £60.
For more information, check out www.lochlomondwhiskies.com.
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