Loch Lomond Offers Up A 54 Year Single Malt Scotch

Loch Lomond Whiskies is going on the older side of things for one of its latest releases, a 54 year old Scotch single malt whisky.

The new Loch Lomond 54 Year Old, according to those behind it, was distilled back in 1967, just one year after the distillery’s “iconic” straight neck stills began production. Distilled from unpeated malted barley and bottled at a “high strength” of 41.1% ABV, it was originally matured in a refill American Oak hogshead before being recasked into a refill European oak sherry hogshead in 1994.

The whisky is housed inside a hand-made Glencairn Crystal 30% lead crystal decanter which features a heavy plinth style base, is hand engraved with satin gold infill and features a gold satin aged effect metal coin bearing the Loch Lomond Whiskies stag logo. The bottle itself is “housed in a multi-layered oak box, hand-crafted to represent the contours of the area around the single malt’s namesake loch.”

“It is a real privilege to work with a whisky so rare,” said Loch Lomond Whiskies Master Blender, Michael Henry, in a prepared statement. “Our 54 Year Old single malt whisky had been maturing for more than 40 years before I joined as Master Blender in 2007. It takes a very special cask of whisky to make it to 54 years old, and the expectations are high when working with liquid as special and scarce as this. It was a huge undertaking and came with great responsibility.

“Selecting and perfecting this single malt was a true honour, and we’re proud to announce its release – ready to be enjoyed as a rare piece of distilling history.”

Loch Lomond 54 Year Old prices at £24,000 and is available globally. Production has been limited to 55 bottles, and you’ll find official tasting notes below.

• Nose: Elegant and sublime. Crème caramel, fresh vanilla pods, melted brown sugar and toasted oak, orange peel and marmalade.
• Palate: Silk-like mouthfeel. Vibrant fruit, tart pineapple and lemon citrus with a honey sweetness, dried fruits, sultanas and raisins.
• Finish: Long with mouth-watering green fruit and floral notes, kiwi and elderflower, then waves of warming oak spice, aniseed and cinnamon.