I think it's fair to say, at this point, that the recent independent bottlings from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society present the best possible face of the Loch Lomond distillery and all their various imprints. Virtually every bottle I've had has been a riot of flavor, full of intriguing aspects, rich, tasty, and occasionally even sublime.
This 12 year old bottle of their Inchmurrin version - and no, I'm not sure what exactly the differences are between the various imprints - won double gold at the 2021 World Spirits Competition, and it was a finalist at the 2021 Ultimate Spirits Competition where it scored 94 points. A decorated expression! The official tasting notes are as follows:
A vividly exotic aroma initially, one full of rum baba, pineapple chunks in syrup, dark fruits, toasted oak and dried red apple rings. Further notes of burnt caramel, candied orange peel and demerara sugar. With water, there was more baked pastry richness, glossy custard with sweet wines, maple pecan Danish and stewed apple cake drizzled with butterscotch. The palate opened with abundant dark fruits, ripe plums, Bakewell tarts and eucalyptus cough sweets. With reduction, the panel noted salted caramel, gingerbread and orange marmalade. Along with grilled pineapple, rum and raisin fudge and mango jam. Matured for 10 years in a bourbon hogshead before transfer to a 1st fill STR barrique.
Wow! Quite a promise: rum baba, tropical and dark fruits, sugar notes all decadent and comingling happily. I'm intrigued by the transfer to the 1st fill shaved/toasted/re-charred barrique, for sure. This is bottled at 59.1% - let's see how it fares:
Nose: It's a heady, rich, complex nose. They are not kidding about "vividly exotic." Alcohol fumes intermix with rich rum, tropical fruit, dried red fruit, and mushy red delicious apples. I also get the burnt caramel and demerara sugar. I ALSO get a curious note of spent matches (sulfur) and light smoke. This is very very enticing.
With some water and time in the glass: It sweetens up considerably; all the alcohol bite is taken away. Vanilla and honey, dried red fruit (almost like fruit jerky?), orange oil, brown sugar, caramel. Absolutely delicious. So sweet it makes your mouth water.
Mouthfeel: Thin, but silky.
Palate: Thick and swirly flavors on the palate - a big rush of alcohol, but a lot of flavor backing it up. Orange peel, dark apple, prunes and plums, menthol, herbs (marjoram!?), and smoke. Rich drizzles of honey as well.
With water and time in the glass: Oh, this becomes a bit more interesting with some water. Spices galore: cinnamon, ginger, cloves, anise especially. Dry red wine. Orange peel. Eucalyptus. Vanilla. Very distinct oak wood. No wonder this won awards - it's fantastic. Rich, sweet, yet dry. Not cloying.
Finish: Smoke, oak, and a lot of orange - rich candied orange flesh. Vanilla, too.
Verdict: Another winner from the Loch Lomond family. This Inchmurrin is filled with flavor. It's sweet, on the whole, with a lot of fruit and vanilla, but rounded out well by spices and wood and some smoke, among other notes. Very nice single cask offering from Loch Lomond. Recommended.
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