Loch Lomond 18 review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ต.ค. 2024
- All things come to an end and this, is the end of my first season looking at 18 year old single malt scotches.
A few people have commented that 18 is the upper end of their price scale. Here in the UK...that's gonna be £70 to £100 roughly, so I can totally respect that. We all have budgets to adhere to (I imagine) so that price is a lot to shell out and justify for a bottle of something that, let's face it, is gonna get "pissed up the wall" if you will excuse my language! But can the enjoyment of a bottle justify its price? Does this Loch Lomond fit that bill? Well this review hopefully answers that.
Enjoy.
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Single Malt: Whisk(e)y made by one distillery using malted barley.
Single Grain: Whisk(e)y made by one distillery using one or a selection of grains (usually corn, wheat, rye, etc.)
Blended Malt: Whisk(e)y made by blending single malts from more than one distillery.
Blended Grain: Whisk(e)y made by blending single grains from more than one distillery.
Blended Scotch: Whisky made by blending single malt and single grain (whiskies) from one or more distilleries.
N.A.S. Non age stated whisky. No age on bottle.
U.S. Proof: Proof is 2 x ABV. Example…100 Proof = 50% ABV.
Imperial/British Proof: ABV is 4/7 of Proof. Example…100 Proof = 57.1% ABV.
#thewhiskeynovice #Wednesdaywhiskyreview #18s
I just ordered one, weirdly I bought 0,2l for a better price than a 0,7l bottle. I mean 1 litre price was better for a small bottle. Looking forward to trying it. Thanks for the review 😊
Tried it at the distillery, having arranged a rare visit. They were out of stock but picked it up locally in Balmaha.
Interesting recommendation of Bunnahabhain 12...did you find some industrial, funky notes in Ll18?
Now there's a funny coincidence, I was looking up reviews of this whiskey because I was considering it as a replacement for a recently emptied bottle of... Bunnahabhain 12. If that's not a sign to just get it, I don't know what is. Thanks for the informative review!
Great review Jim- people like Michael are a treasure and an asset to both the industry and the community! It's great to see distilleries catering to enthusiasts and whisky drinkers by releasing good quality, affordable whiskies. Love how Loch Lomond has created its own unique style using all their potential, combining their different stills, rather than playing it safe by opting for a more traditional flavour profile. With Loch Lomond, in my opinion, the character really shines in their 12 yo whiskies, although I wouldn' t snub this any time. Cheers!
Cheers Menno. It really begs the question why more distilleries can't do it! Yes, Loch Lomond is a bit of a "whisky making factory" but, that shouldn't matter. They're still buying in their malt the same as (most of) the rest. They're still outsourcing bottling the same as (most of) the rest, etc., etc. Smaller distilleries like Springbank and Glengyle don't use "overheads" as an excuse to push their RRP up! It IS great to see these diatilleries catering for us. Now it's about time that more followed suit!!
Rant over 😁
Thanks for reviewing this one, Jim.
And all credits to Michael Henry for the great job on making whisky and the transparency he provides.
Slàinte mhath
As most of us know Frank...Michael's a star. Where LL and Glen Scotia are concerned...I genuinely don't look anywhere but directly to him for information. That way I know I'm passing on facts and not hear-say. It's a real pity there aren't more like him.
Slàinte buddy.
Great review, cannot wait to uncork my bottle of this LL presentation. The price in Denmark for the LL18 is approx. half of the standard retail price (not to be confused with the RRP), you'll find for the Springbank 18. But - I cannot even find the SB18 online at Danish webshops at the moment. Price and availability are 2 primary reasons (together with the general praise that I hear/read) that I have turned my attention towards the Loch Lomond Group and have extended my collection with the LL18, Inchmurrin 18 and Glen Scotia 18 in the first three months of 2022. Would I love to be able to buy Springbank? Yes, sure! But on the other hand the shortage of Springbank bottles on the market creates opportunities for me to look in other directions and explore distilleries that I haven't tried before. Cheers, Jim.
Cheers Benny. Yeah I don't chase Springbank at all any more. I have a local outlet who, if there are new releases coming, will contact me to let me know but, if I miss out on them due to (usual) high demand...I don't go elsewhere. I do what you do and buy alternatives. Not to take anything away from Springbank, their whisky is great but...as you pretty much said...there are also great AND affordable alternatives.
Great review and notes. I'm a bit of a Loch Lomond fanboy too. You, me and Captain Haddock! I agree with you that any peat in this one is well hidden. I also agree about the Campbeltown connection. Before you revealed your 'if you like this then try this' pick I was thinking of Glen Scotia 18. Cheers!
Funny, you're not the only one to mention the GS18. Believe it or not, I haven't actually had it yet but, with Michael Henry involved in both, it's not surprising there would be comparisons. It's on the radar. One for my next series of 18s 😉.
Cheers.
Really appreciate what Michael's doing at LL. I appreciate even more that he drops into some of the livestreams and watches and listens and interacts with us punters. Massive respect there. LL isn't that common over here in Ontario. Looking forward muchly to discovering and supporting Michael's work. :)
Cheers Rich. I'm probably being a bit daft but, people like Michael bring on my patriotism. He's such a great ambassador for this wee island. I haven't known him long but, like the rest of this great community, I'm proud to call him friend!
Great review Jim as always Loch Lomand just seems to get better and better.
Cheers Leejay. I think it is mate. Affordable, accessible and approachable. Couldn't ask for much more from a whisky could you.
Enjoyed the review and love dried/fresh fruit and great comparison bottle. I have not had Loch Lomond 18 but do enjoy your comparison. Cheers!
Cheers Jon. If you can get it for a decent price, it's a good one to try.
Very nice review, Jim!
A couple of weeks ago I opened a bottle of the 12 yo. So far I like it very much. Very "campbeltown-y" in character indeed. Not as complex and vibrant as Springbank 10 but readily available and reasonably priced. I find Loch Lomond 12 to be more syrupy and the mouthfeel is very oily compared to Springbank 10 2019 release.
Don't have the 18 yo but it is definitely on my radar. As a matter of fact Loch Lomond products come out on special sale quite often. On special sale the 12 yo can be had for ~31 euros, the 14 yo for ~50 euros and the 18 yo for ~65 euros . IMHO those are very nice prices for age stated, 46% single malt whisky.
Cheers!
Those are fantastic prices. Especially with their presentation. It's good to know there are still distilleries out there doing it. Producing great juice for a great price.
Cheers buddy.
Solid review there and the whole Loch Lomond Campbeltown connection is spot on. I have not had a bad Lock Lomond and there is some fantastic delightful notes kicking about in there. I can't get enough of the Peated Grain to be honest, but do have a feeling got a sample of this. Cheers fella!
Cheers Jeff.
Cheers Jim some months later this is still getting our attn.
Great review as always Jim of a wonderful whisky from a great distillery 👍
Cheers Ben. We do like our LL 😉
As a fellow LL fanboy, albeit one who hasn't had the 18 yet, I'm liking what I'm hearing here. And the comparison with the lovely Bunnahabhain 12 cements this as one to definitely buy. Cheers mate.
Cheers Al. Get 'er bought mate. You'll not be disappointed 😉
Great Review thanks for that! Regarding coloring, the website states no color added. So what's true then?
Thanks for this review. Have you tried Inchmurrin from the same distillery ? For me that works even better.
Cheers André. I have a review for Inchmurrin coming in April. Lovely stuff.
Enjoyed my bottle of this. It's probably also the lowest price 18 I know of at $85. This distillery has such a unique character. Cheers Jim
Cheers Tim. That's a great price buddy.
One of my current favourites this stuff, great value when you can pick it up at the £70 mark.
Indeed. Cheers Andrew.
Great review 😁👍👍 In Australia, you can buy this for about $100AUD roughly £56 pounds!!
Cheers Aaron. Wow, that's a great price.
Hi Jim, I remember the 18 when it had the black label ( showing my age now?🥴), when I remember correctly it wasn’t that good, but that has, now it seems changed. Question, how does it stand up to the Glen Scotia 18, ? Which I’ve got. Good (as always) review Jim , enjoyed it 😂👍slàinte.
Cheers David. D'ya know, I've yet to have the GS 18, so I couldn't actually answer that mate. There will be more 18s reviewed at a later date, so that'll be a good one to include.
I do know that I'm starting to find their two signatures very similar which, given Michael Henry's position, isn't that surprising but...it's what you get for your money at LL that always amazes me.
I have it and it says fruit and spice. I just saw an 18 that says caramelized apple and smoked wood. Any idea if different or just new packaging? Ty
Yep new packaging John. They simplified to fruit and spice.
Good news from Loch lomond website:
"To allow the whisky’s natural characteristics to shine through, our 18 year old is free from caramel colouring and chill filtration".
Would Mrs Novice agree with you on that campelltown similarity?
I think there's something on the label that says 'smoothed to perfection'. I think the LL18 is a good whisky to start a flight with. There's a lot going on but it's all pretty mellow. I'll go back to it tonight and see how the open bottle is getting along but I think the 12 is a bit louder in those flavors.
So yes, it's a decent dram. Interesting that the peat gets wrapped up with all the sour, twisted around the the inkling of sweet and then turns into a peppery finish.
I let the 12 sit, halfway down, for almost 2 years before I went back. Could then totally appreciate it. There's alot going on, and it's all over the place. It almost gives an off-note but really doesn't
I don't know that I've ever gone as far as asking Mrs Novice about that similarity. She's usually got her nose buried in a book Matt so the face that I got this similarity out of her wasn't bad 😄
Yeah, I feel they could lose the "smoothed to perfection" thing but...I suppose they all have their "shtick".
I feel that, given the tools at their disposal, there would something in the LL range for everyone. Now that they've (sort of) set their signature feel...I don't think it'll be long before they have a huge fan base. As long as they keep their prices down of course.
@@WhiskeyNovice one of my favorites is an indie bottle of Croftengea, it's very funky. The peat is totally different. And I'm kicking myself for missing out on a 15 year single cask Inchfad last month; I bought a Glen Moray 21 instead, which is not funky. I was thinking poorly of Loch Lomond and I won't do that again. I went for age and beauty over the funky unknown.
The NAS LL here is the cheapest thing so they have a bottom shelf reputation. I'm trying to give Loch Lomond some love when I see it.
@@WhiskeyNovice the wife just came back from England and brought a box of Mr Kipling Cakes and a jar of sticky toffee sauce. She has no opinions on whisky, actually she would be looking for the James May Gin.
😄😄😄
It's a bit of a stretch, but this does remind me of Springbank's style.
Seems to be the consensus here Chris. Cheers.
@@WhiskeyNovice And considering the price differential between the two, this recommendation is a no-brainer.
Two other value-based 18s worth reviewing are the Glen Moray 18 and the wine-finished Aberfeldy 18s. I'd love to see reviews of those.
Oh wow, we can still buy the LL18 for 56€ (< 48 pounds) in Germany, Jim...
Aww man...that's it Doc! I'm movin' to Germany! Mind you, at those prices...it'll have to be a big house with a big cellar 😉
@@WhiskeyNovice As you know, I am buying whiskies for a lot of barflies since years and I have a big cellar, so I´m happy to take your orders, too. 😁
P.S.: I still have some DL bottles for you, do you remember at all? 😉
@@macallanfinerare2552 Oh I remember Doc. The Rock Oyster CS. And one of these years I will get there to collect 😁
@@WhiskeyNovice Next stop: Limburg Whiskyfair! 2027?? Interwhisky 2033???😬