Bold new Scotch Whisky brand revealed by Loch Lomond Group
Independent distillery welcomes Spearhead to growing portfolio
Multi award winning drinks distiller, Loch Lomond Group, has revealed a new Single Grain Scotch Whisky: Spearhead.
The new expression showcases pioneering craftsmanship and whisky-making techniques which create a lighter spirit, aiming to encourage more drinkers to enter the world of whisky.
The whisky is bold and has a sweeter style, similar to a Bourbon, and is crafted at Loch Lomond’s distillery using a continuous Coffey style still, allowing for a lighter spirit to be created. The spirit is then aged in ex-bourbon barrels before finishing in a combination of fire and infrared-toasted virgin American oak barrels.
The innovative infrared barrels allow for an exact level of toast that extracts natural properties in the barrel, releasing a range of flavours from the wood that are then caramelized to give a complex range of sweet notes. Using a combination of traditionally fire toasted and infrared toasted barrels, the result is ultra-smooth, with a depth and complexity to the flavour. Loch Lomond Distillery is currently the only distillery in Scotland to use infrared barrels to finish whisky.
This process is unique to Scotch Whisky making, making Spearhead a pioneer in the field, and creates a bold yet light and sweeter taste, perfect for new whisky drinkers or those who enjoy long serves.
For those looking to try a new, fun cocktail, Spearhead’s take on a Clover Club, which replaces the traditionally-used gin base for Scotch, is a wonderfully sweet yet sour serve. Alternatively, whisky drinkers can enjoy a spritzer-style serve, swapping wine for Spearhead and serving with Pêche de Vigne and ginger ale, or try a Spear and Beer, serving 50mls with a can of craft beer.
Displayed in a striking Bourbon-style bottle, Spearhead offers notes of vanilla pod, blackberries and dark chocolate, making it a deliciously light neat dram, or an exciting base for longer drinks and cocktails.
Priced at £30 RRP with an ABV of 43% and available to purchase online, Spearhead is an ideal expression for those who enjoy American and Irish Whiskey and are keen to venture into the world of Scotch.
Calum Leslie, Head of Innovation at Loch Lomond Group, said: “We have been working very hard to create an innovative new Scotch Whisky and we are pleased to finally launch Spearhead to market.
“While this style of whisky is very popular in the Irish and American markets, there isn’t anything comparable in the Scotch sector. Spearhead is one of a kind, championing the single grain, and taking a non-traditional approach to whisky making that will resonate with people new to Scotch. It’s the perfect whisky for those who prefer the sweetness of a bourbon or enjoy a long-whisky based serve, with Spearhead taking a twist on some classic cocktails.
“Adopting our 200-year history of distilling, Spearhead has been created with the same level of care and expertise that goes into each and every one of Loch Lomond Group’s expressions, but it has its own unique journey. The end result is a bold, highly versatile liquid characterised by its sweet and light flavour.”
Spearhead will be available globally from summer 2021.
For more information, please visit www.spearheadwhisky.com
Tasting Notes
Nose – Violet floral notes, dark berries – blackcurrant and blackberry – vanilla pods, caramel and dark chocolate
Palate – Velvety mouthfeel rolls over the tongue, red apple with lime citrus, vanilla fudge and light brown sugar
Finish – Long smooth and sweet with melted brown sugar
Additional serves
Peach Head
Ingredients: Spearhead – 35ml
Pêche de Vigne – 15ml
Lemon juice – 10ml
Mint leaves – 10
Orange bitters – 2dsh
Method: Fill glass with ice, then add all ingredients, top with ginger ale and garnish with a wedge of peach
Rusty Spear
Ingredients: Spearhead – 50ml
Ginger Ale – 150ml
Method: Fill glass with ice, then add all ingredients and garnish with a wedge of lime
Spear Med
Ingredients: Spearhead – 45ml
Campari – 10ml
Lemon juice – 15ml
Simple syrup – 10ml
Mandarin juice – 20ml
Method: Add all ingredients into tin with ice, then shake and double strain into highball or tumbler over ice. Top with premium tonic and garnish with bay leaf or pineapple leaf.
About the Loch Lomond Group
- Loch Lomond Group is an independent distiller based in Alexandria and is home to several award-winning brands that are sold in more than 125 countries worldwide.
- Loch Lomond distillery has been producing the finest single malt whiskies since 1814.
