Top whiskies for Father’s Day 2023
Independent distiller Loch Lomond Group reveals its ultimate gift guide of whiskies including Glen Scotia, Loch Lomond Whiskies and Noble Rebel
Glen Scotia, Loch Lomond Whiskies and Noble Rebel have recommended a range of Father’s Day expressions, perfect for whisky-loving dads and father figures across the country.
With a range of expressions from light and floral to heavily peated, across a variety of budgets, there’s something to suit all dads’ tastes this Father’s Day.
GLEN SCOTIA
For dads who enjoy their history, Glen Scotia is the perfect choice. Once known as the Victorian Whisky Capital of the World, Campbeltown was previously home to more than 30 distilleries. Now, only three remain including the award-winning Glen Scotia, whose range of exceptional single malt whiskies perfectly encapsulates the essence of the area and reflects the centuries of craftsmanship and experience associated with Scotland’s smallest whisky-making region.
Glen Scotia 15 Years Old – £68 – 46% ABV
An exceptional single malt whisky intended to deliver a true taste of Campbeltown in its most beautiful simplicity.
Unpeated and matured in first-fill bourbon and re-fill American Oak casks, this rich and smooth single malt scotch whisky boasts hints of vanilla, sea spray and spicy aromatic fruits including apricot and orange blossom. A short finish in Oloroso casks ensures the classic regional traits shine through, for a warm, spicy and dry finish.
Available at www.glenscotia.com and specialist whisky retailers.
Glen Scotia 21 Years Old – £265 – 46% ABV
An elegant addition to any whisky connoisseur’s collection, the Glen Scotia 21 Year Old single malt is a smooth and aromatic dram.
Aged in a combination of refill bourbon barrels and refill American oak hogsheads, before a six-month finish in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks which adds perfumed floral notes to the signature distillery character of rich fruits and Atlantic Sea spray.
The liquid has been matured to bridge the gap between Glen Scotia’s 18 Year Old and its 25 Year Old, which won the ‘Best in Class’ and therefore Best in the World, at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2021 out of 3,800 entrants.
An elegant metal coin of the Glen Scotia logo is set into the shoulder of the premium bottle, which is presented in a solid display box ideal for collectors or gifting to someone special this Father’s Day.
Available at www.glenscotia.com and specialist whisky retailers.
Glen Scotia Harbour Whisky Gift Set with Glasses – £50 – 40% ABV
The Glen Scotia Harbour Whisky Gift set is the perfect introduction to a whisky region rich in heritage and the perfect gift for a whisky lover looking to delve into the world of Campbeltown whisky.
It features two beautifully presented branded Glencairn whisky glasses and a bottle of Glen Scotia Harbour, a classic Campbeltown single malt that pays tribute to the small harbour town that went onto become the Victorian Whisky Capital of the World.
Glen Scotia Harbour has a distinct as distinct coastal influence of sea salt and gentle smoke, balanced with soft peach and vanilla custard that leaves a tangy peat on the finish. A gift that truly keeps on giving.
Available at www.glenscotia.com and specialist whisky retailers.
LOCH LOMOND WHISKIES
Those looking for innovation should look no further than Loch Lomond Whiskies. The award-winning independent distiller features expressions created by the distillery’s unique combination of straight neck and swan neck stills. This year’s collection includes one of the distillery’s most popular expressions, as well as two limited edition single malts created specially to mark the 151st year of golf’s prestigious The Open Championship, of which Loch Lomond Whiskies is the official spirit partner.
Loch Lomond Open Course Edition 2023 – £240 – 48.2% ABV
Loch Lomond The Open Course Edition is a celebration of The Open’s 151st golf championship, a monumental and prestigious event that will bring together the best golfers in the world this July.
Recently awarded Double Gold at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Awards, the highly exclusive certified organic single malt is a rare expression which captures the distillery’s spirit of exploration and unique whisky-making style. Having distilled for over 22 years, it delivers notes of tropical fruit, pineapple and vanilla with a hint of toasted oak, ginger and cinnamon on the finish.
The Open Course Edition 2023 is presented in a striking black case and boasts an elevated bottle design, making it the perfect Father’s Day gift which will stand out on any whisky cabinet.
Available at www.lochlomondwhiskies.com and specialist whisky retailers.
Loch Lomond Open Special Edition – £45 – 46% ABV
The ideal gift for golf fans, Loch Lomond The Open Edition marks the 151st year of golf’s most prestigious championship which will take place at Royal Liverpool this summer.
Recently awarded Double Gold at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Awards, it has been crafted in partnership with Loch Lomond Whiskies’ long term golf ambassador, Colin Montgomerie – one of Scotland’s most legendary golfing figures.
The whisky was aged in American Oak casks before finishing its maturation journey in the rich red wine Rioja Alta Reserva cask which brings out the whisky’s unique notes of red berry, orchard fruit and creamy vanilla with dark chocolate, which complement the soft smoke on the finish.
Montgomerie’s signature appears on each bottle, adding an extra special touch to this wonderful Father’s Day gift. Available at www.lochlomondwhiskies.com and specialist whisky retailers.
NOBLE REBEL
Finally, for any dram-loving dads who like to experiment with new flavours, there’s no better time to introduce them to Noble Rebel. An innovative and bold new blended malt Scotch whisky brand from Loch Lomond Group, Noble Rebel creatively pushes boundaries in the pursuit of flavour creation, combining the nobility of single malt whisky with the rigour of craftmanship. The flavours of Noble Rebel are brought to life through a series of vivid illustrations that detail the intricate stories, layers and tasting notes of each blend.
Noble Rebel Whisky Orchard Burst – £40 – 46% ABV
Noble Rebel was created to bring new ideas to old ways and traditions, so to create modern masterpieces that welcome newcomers with open arms and delight old friends alike.
Matured in ex-bourbon casks, Orchard Outburst balances crisp, ripe orchard fruits with surprising flavours of crashing salty ocean waves, resulting in an explosion of zest with hints of zingy lemon and lime.
This intriguing malt contains whisky distilled with Chardonnay wine yeast, an unusual ingredient in whisky distillation which helps to intensify fruit and citrus flavours in the finished blend.
It’s a beautifully balanced blend that is ideally suited for the main man in your life this Father’s Day.
Available at www.noblerebelmalts.com and specialist whisky retailers.
Noble Rebel Whisky Smoke Symphony – £40 – 46% ABV
Smoke Symphony weaves threads of peat and smoke with hits of chilli. Lightning bolts of rich red body married with subtle berry tartness create a truly intriguing dram. Finished in Rioja wine casks, Smoke Symphony conveys notes of smoke, spice and dark berries.
Like its Noble counterparts, Smoke Symphony is non-chill filtered which adds to its rustic and rugged charm and natural colour.
Far from your everyday dram, surprise your peat whisky-loving father with this excellent dram that’ll leave a lasting impression.
Available at www.noblerebelmalts.com and specialist whisky retailers.
Noble Rebel Whisky Hazelnut Harmony – £40 – 46% ABV
Hazelnut Harmony is a sweet and inviting all-rounder which mingles nuts with a hint of sweet honeycomb, with subtle pear undertones meeting imprints of warm oak.
Completing the trio of expressions, Hazelnut Harmony is finished in toasted American oak casks, which adds a sweet flavour of honey, vanilla and hazelnut to the whisky.
The vivid illustrations on the premium embellished bottle detail the intricate stories, layers and tasting notes of the expression, making it the perfect gift which will stand out on any whisky cabinet.
Available at www.noblerebelmalts.com and specialist whisky retailers.
Tasting Notes
Glen Scotia 15 Years Old
Nose: Citrus peels, ginger snap biscuits, and baked fruits
Taste: Plump fruits with a surprising dry finish, apricots, fruit salad, caramelised sugar and oak
Finish: Warm spicy, honey smoothness, oak and a dry finish
Glen Scotia 21 Years Old
Nose: Sweet perfumed oloroso, spiced red apple, peppercorns with a soft signature Campbeltown aroma
Taste: Baked red apples, plump raisins, a journey of cloves, star anise, cinnamon and spice. Soft creamy vanilla, toffee and sea spray
Finish: Long, complex and incredibly balanced, with a lingering touch of sea salt and sherry dryness
Glen Scotia Harbour
Nose: Briny sea spray, violet and lavender and vanilla
Taste: Soft peach, crisp green apple, chewy fudge and vanilla custard
Finish: Medium length, dry with gentle smoke, tangy peat and maritime sea spray
Loch Lomond Open Course Edition
Nose: Honey, peach, melon, lemon, stem ginger
Taste: Grapefruit, vanilla, caramel, pineapple, mango
Finish: Long spicy finish with ginger, cinnamon and toasted oak
Loch Lomond Open Special Edition
Nose: Floral notes of rose, soft fruits, peach and pear
Taste: Red berry and orchard fruit. Raspberry and peach, creamy vanilla and dark chocolate
Finish: Medium length, a touch of smoke gives way to lasting fruit notes
Noble Rebel Whisky Orchard Outburst
Matured in ex-bourbon casks, Orchard Outburst balances crisp, ripe orchard fruits with surprising flavours of crashing salty ocean waves, resulting in an explosion of zest with hints of zingy lemon and lime.
Noble Rebel Whisky Smoke Symphony
Smoke Symphony weaves threads of peat and smoke with hits of chilli. Lightning bolts of rich red body married with subtle berry tartness create a truly intriguing dram.
Noble Rebel Whisky Hazelnut Harmony
Hazelnut Harmony mingles nuts with a hint of sweet honeycomb, with subtle pear undertones meeting imprints of warm oak.
About 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.
- Images and interviews with key staff from the Group are available upon request.
- For further details, please visit: lochlomondgroup.com
About Loch Lomond Whiskies
Loch Lomond Distillery has one of the oldest heritages in the industry. It was founded by American, Duncan Thomas, the owner of the Littlemill Distillery which was licensed in 1772. In the 1930s Duncan Thomas was at the forefront of innovation within the Scotch whisky industry and his innovative philosophy is ingrained into everything that is done at Loch Lomond to this day.
In 1814, the original site of the Loch Lomond Distillery was established near Tarbet, towards the north-west end of Loch Lomond; an area which has been at the heart of the whisky industry for centuries. With at least nine distilleries around the loch lost over the years, Loch Lomond Distillers has maintained a proud local tradition into the 21st century.
About Glen Scotia
Distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.
Producing peated and non-peated whiskies, the distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the fermenters, the stillroom, and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s.To this day, the distillery team follow in the footsteps of their founders, using traditional methods, and carefully creating the subtly maritime Campbeltown style the brand has become world-famous for.
Recognition of Glen Scotia’s style and craftsmanship continues to be acknowledged globally.
- In 2021, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old Single Malt whisky was awarded ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Over 3,800 entries across thirty-one categories were judged with Glen Scotia being awarded the overall winner across all countries and styles. Only seven months later, Glen Scotia was also named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2021.
- In 2022, Glen Scotia’s Victoriana won Best In Class in the Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
- In 2023, Glen Scotia won ‘Best Single Cask Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards 2023 for a single cask bottling distilled in 2009 and aged for 13 years exclusively in a first-fill bourbon barrel.
About Noble Rebel
Shaped by expertise and expressivity, Noble Rebel is a blended malt Scotch whisky unlike any other. Skillfully curating the finest malts, each with a history of their own, and artfully blending them into striking whisky masterpieces, Noble Rebel pushes the boundaries of flavour with courage, craftsmanship and creativity. Respectful of tradition and inquisitive about the future, Noble Rebel heralds a new dawn of whisky mastery.
A spectacular drink that opens with aromas of Seville orange marmalade, milk chocolate, ground pepper, barley, and soft rounded oak, with an underlying dryness from the sherry. The umami notes are there, but are more integrated than other Hakata. An oily texture bursting with bitter plain chocolate, citrus oil, fresh walnut, black cherry, pepper, and ground ginger, develops an underlying creaminess and serves up a hazelnut finish. (JM, Summer 2023) 
(9/2023)
