Loch Lomond Whiskies Unveils Limited Single Grain Scotch Whiskies

Innovative duo grow the distiller’s Single Grain collection

Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled two limited Single Grain releases which exemplify the distiller’s innovative range of whisky-making techniques.

Loch Lomond Single Grain Distiller’s Choice and Loch Lomond Single Grain Cooper’s Collection Mizunara Cask Finish are brought together by Master Blender, Michael Henry.

Using only 100% malted barley with an additional long fermentation time then distilled in Loch Lomond’s bespoke all copper, Continuous ‘Coffey’ Still, it creates a spirit with layers of deep and elegant floral fruit notes, showcasing Loch Lomond’s capability in flavour creation through distillation.

Loch Lomond Single Grain Cooper’s Collection Mizunara Cask Finish is the first in a series of annual limited releases. Limited to just 3,000 bottles, the special edition is one of the rarest Single Grain whiskies to be released by Loch Lomond Whiskies.

Loch Lomond is one of only four distilleries in Scotland to have an on-site cooperage. This ensures that barrel repairs and charring are carried out to an exacting standard, so every cask is perfect for maturing Loch Lomond Whiskies’ characterful spirits.

Michael has worked closely with Loch Lomond Whiskies’ dedicated team of coopers to craft this release, carefully selecting higher age-statement whiskies to be matured in first and second fill American Oak Bourbon barrels. This special Single Grain is then finished for six months in the finest hand-crafted, rare Mizunara Japanese Oak casks, to elevate the natural flavours found within. The result is a whisky of wonderful character, enhanced with rich, fragrant spice derived from the Mizunara Oak casks.

Complementing this, Loch Lomond Single Grain Distiller’s Choice marries a careful selection of Loch Lomond Whiskies’ aged single grains with more vibrant liquids, resulting in a whisky with layers of elegant fruit and floral character. This exquisite Single Grain is matured in a selection of both first fill and second fill American Oak Bourbon barrels.

Both Single Grain whiskies are non-chill filtered and natural in colour, just as nature intended.

Each bespoke black grain bottle is embossed with the Loch Lomond Whiskies logo in striking silver and carries Michael’s signature as a personal guarantee of quality.

Loch Lomond Whiskies Master Blender, Michael Henry said:

“We’re proud to introduce the latest additions to our Single Grain portfolio. Crafted using our innovative Coffey still, these are two very special whiskies with distinct and diverse flavours.

“Each expression has been crafted to showcase the floral fruit notes through distilling and influence finishing has on our grain whisky through cask selection.”

Loch Lomond Whiskies is truly unique in its craftsmanship, using innovative techniques to explore flavour in a distinctive way. As the only distillery in Scotland to use its bespoke design of continuous Coffey Still, Loch Lomond Distillery has a whisky-making capability like no other.

This continuous still provides Loch Lomond Whiskies with greater control over the distillation process by allowing spirit to be taken off at different plates and at specific strengths, shaping the flavour profile and character of the whisky at the point of distillation.

Loch Lomond Distillery can trace its distilling heritage back to 1814. Its current malt and grain distilleries, in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, close to the banks of Loch Lomond, were commissioned in 1964 with first distillation in 1966.

Product specific detail 

Loch Lomond Single Grain Distiller’s Choice

The nose of Loch Lomond Single Grain Distiller’s Choice carries deep floral and fruit notes of rose, violet, peach, pear and blackcurrant with vanilla and coconut, some honey and

chocolate. The silk like mouthfeel glides over the tongue, bringing tart fruits of blackberry and green apple with golden barley before a long finish of vanilla fudge sweetness and

gently warming cinnamon spice.

It is bottled at 48.8% ABV and has a RRSP of £50. 

Loch Lomond Single Grain Cooper’s Collection Mizunara Cask

Loch Lomond Single Grain Cooper’s Collection Mizunara Cask combines rose, honeysuckle,

blackcurrant and toasted oak on the nose. On the palate there is sweet spice character with apple, sandalwood, honey and cinnamon, with a dry, warming oak spice finish.

It is bottled at 50% ABV and has a RRSP of £60.

Both releases are available globally.

For further information visit www.lochlomondwhiskies.com.  

Tasting notes 

Loch Lomond Single Grain Distiller’s Choice

Nose: The nose carries deep floral and fruit notes of rose, violet, peach, pear and blackcurrant with vanilla and coconut, some honey and chocolate.

Palate: The silk like mouthfeel glides over the tongue, bringing tart fruits of blackberry and green apple with golden barley.

Finish: Long, with vanilla fudge sweetness and gently warming cinnamon spice.  

Loch Lomond Single Grain Cooper’s Collection Mizunara Cask

Nose: Rose, honeysuckle, blackcurrant and toasted oak.

Palate: Sweet spice character with apple, sandalwood, honey and cinnamon.

Finish: Dry, warming oak spice.

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.
• 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 21^st
• The multi award winning Loch Lomond Whiskies range includes the Loch Lomond 12 Year Old which has been awarded the Platinum Award in 2020, one of only 7 single malts to be awarded this honour at the San Francisco World Spirits Challenge 2020. Other expressions in the range are the single malts Loch Lomond Original; Loch Lomond Classic; Loch Lomond 18 Year Old; Loch Lomond 50 Year Old; the Loch Lomond Island’s Collection which includes the Inchmurrin and Inchmoan ranges as well as the deluxe blend Loch Lomond Signature and Loch Lomond Single Grain.
• Loch Lomond Inchmoan 12 Year Old has been awarded Best Highland Single Malt 12 Years and Under at the 2018 World Whiskies Awards and a Gold Medal at the 2020 San Francisco 2020 Awards.
• Loch Lomond Whiskies was recently also awarded the following medals at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition:

• PLATINUM: Loch Lomond 12 Year Old
• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – Inchmurrin 12 Year Old
• GOLD MEDAL – Inchmoan 12 Year Old
• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – Loch Lomond 18 Year Old
• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL: Loch Lomond 10 Year Old

We’re embracing flavour this month with another superb selection of whiskies, including a distillery code that’s new to SMWS Canada, and happens to be from Ireland which seems appropriate for March – enjoy!

HAZELNUT BUBBLE GUM

Distillery 19 Rare Release

REGION:  Highland

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrels

AGE:  18 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Spicy & dry

BOTTLED FOR THE 2022 HIGHLAND WHISKY FESTIVAL

PRETTY WACKY!

Cask No. 128.19

REGION:  Wales

INITIAL CASK:  Ex-bourbon barrel

FINAL CASK:  2nd fill custom barrel

AGE:  11 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Juicy, oak & vanilla

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Wow, amazing, exotic fruits from a different planet, tropical, silky, smooth, sweet, and juicy as we ‘tasted the rainbow of fruit flavours.”

SANDALWOOD OLIVE PRESS

CASK NO. 150.4

REGION:  Ireland

INITIAL CASK:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

FINAL CASK:  1st fill ex-rye barrel

AGE:  7 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Sweet, fruity & mellow

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Green apples, green mango and banana skin fused with sandalwood, cinnamon and tobacco leaves before juniper berries and olive oil combined.”

OLD-SCHOOL WITH A TWIST

CASK NO. 4.312

REGION:  Highland Island

INITIAL CASKS:  Ex-bourbon hogsheads

FINAL CASK:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  13 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Lightly peated

BOTTLE NOTE:  “‘Smoked’ accompanied by scallops with a Spanish touch. A single malt originally from bourbon hogsheads, married in a 1st fill bourbon barrel.”

MARMALADE MATURED COGNAC

CASK NO. 35.310

REGION:  Speyside

INITIAL CASK:  Ex-Oloroso butt

FINAL CASK:  1st fill heavy char #4+ puncheon

AGE:  20 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Deep, rich & dried fruits

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Heavy aromas of marmalade, cognac, chocolate coated figs and walnuts in rich cake joined cranberry sauce and espresso with roast venison.”

‘FOR PETE’S SAKE’

CASK NO. G15.14

REGION:  Highland

CASK TYPE:  2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  8 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Peated

BOTTLE NOTE:  “A chimney fire in a Scottish laundry was the pub-talk – enlivened by a hoppy IPA, intensely sweet smokiness with a burst of citrus flavours.”

FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE!

CASK NO. 93.174

REGION:  Campbeltown

CASK TYPE:  1st fill ex-bourbon barrel

AGE:  8 years

FLAVOUR PROFILE:  Peated

BOTTLE NOTE:  “Go for it, peppered smoked mackerel, rustic smoked Greek cheese, smoked eels, smoked cockles in brine and spicy, smoky, sweet and sour dill.”

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Canada
Suite 160
104 – 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB T2N 3P7
403-969-8225
curious@smws.ca
www.smws.ca

Our March Auction is LIVE TONIGHT!

Only 8.5% buyer’s commission.

Auction ends Wednesday 15th February.

 www.highlandwhiskyauctions

Click here to register as a user.

 Looking to sell in our next auction? 0% Sellers commission & FREE* UK doorstep collections.

We offer FREE valuations to give you an idea of what your whisky may sell for at auction.

Contact us to arrange a valuation or collection.

 www.highlandwhiskyauctions.com

The Lakes Whiskymaker’s Reserve No.6

Transport yourself to the Cumbrian beauty spot within The Lake District! The latest dram to drop from The Lakes Distillery is the sixth edition of Whiskymaker’s Reserve. Matured in a combo of Oloroso, PX and red wine casks, bottled at a lovely 52% abv. The Lakes distillery, of Cumbrian beauty spot The Lake District, present this complex and aromatic English single malt, released as part of their Whiskymaker’s Reserve series. The range is a showcase of The Lakes’ sherry-led house style, and for No.6, the whisky was matured in only the best Oloroso, PX and red wine casks. At natural colour, and bottled at 52% abv.

£85.00
BUY NOW

Nose: cardamom, lemongrass, cumin, ginger and rose water.

Palate: dates, fruit cake and five-spice.

Finish: spicy and rich.

JAMESON

18 YEAR OLD

70CL | 46%

£155

WAS £180

SAVE £25

SHOP NOW

An 18-year-old blended Irish whiskey from Jameson that was matured in American and European oak casks, before being married in virgin American oak barrels for six months. Expect notes of sherry-soaked raisins, toffee and vanilla alongside nuttiness and oak spice.

Women have been instrumental in making the Society what it is today. The three As of Anne Dana, Anne Griffiths and Annabel Meikle came from different backgrounds and hadn’t planned to have a whisky career. But driven by a thirst for knowledge, an encouraging environment and openness to new ventures, these women ended up shaping some of the most recognisable parts of the Society.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day today, let’s raise a toast to these AMAZING Society women. We’ve asked our two Helens, Trine, Ebba and Anja in our DRAM-cierge team to select some suggestions in their honour. Plus –  find a NEW Maverick Dram-Cierge Mystery Malt trio with bottles from three different regions.

Keep on scrolling to discover more or click over to our website to read this month’s International Women’s Day-inspired Unfiltered.

DISCOVER MORE

ALL OUTTURN BOTTLES

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Phil will return next week………..

Hard Truth Distilling launches first television and radio ad campaign

New spots introduce “Moments of Truth” tagline

Nashville, IN (February 24, 2023) – Hard Truth Distilling Co., Indiana’s largest destination craft distillery, has reached a major company milestone by airing its first television advertising campaign this month, with a radio campaign to break on February 27.

Hard Truth began airing 15- and 30-second television commercials this week on streaming services in ten key markets: Chicago, Indy, Columbus, Cincinnati, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Dallas, Houston, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale.

Introducing the tagline: “We do it all for these moments of truth,” the new ads feature scenes of pouring, toasting and enjoying Hard Truth’s cornerstone brand, Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey, against the backdrop of its beautiful 325 wooded acre campus and contemporary state-of-the-art distillery.

Jeff McCabe, Hard Truth co-founder and executive chairman, said the 10-market advertising campaign comes on the heels of the distillery, founded just eight years ago, now being in the top 10 percent of distilleries in the nation, a trend that enables Hard Truth to assert in its ads: “We’re proud to be one of the nation’s fastest growing spirits brands.”

Both McCabe and Bryan Smith, Hard Truth co-founder and master distiller, are featured in the new spots. Smith said the decision to focus on its sweet mash rye whiskey, unlike most other whiskey makers who use sour mash, helps define what makes its product lineup stand out from other distilleries. “The ads also feature a very brief glimpse of our Cinnamon Vodka bottle,” said Smith. “That’s a tribute to the non-whiskey brands that help spur our growth.”

Hard Truth’s internal marketing team and Bayonet Media of Indianapolis co-created the ads. John Behling, Hard Truth’s chief marketing officer, said the new campaign is an essential and effective way to support its distributor partners and retailers, not to mention they’ll be spreading the Hard Truth gospel to even more consumers. “We have a great story to tell and we’re at that point in our history when it’s time to tell it the loudest way possible, on TV and radio.”

Behling added that purchasing time on streaming services, rather than traditional broadcast channels, enable them to precisely target the correct demographic and ensure that viewers who see the ads have significant potential to purchase Hard Truth brands.

McCabe said that in addition to the new advertising campaign, one of the most significant signs of growth at Hard Truth is its current distillery expansion, highlighted by the construction of its second rackhouse—which will be twice the size of its current rackhouse, tripling its storage capacity. Along with this expansion, the distillery is transitioning to 24/7 production to keep up with demand.

“These are heady days for all of us at Hard Truth,” said McCabe. “We come to work every day thinking what’s next? We’re not sure what it will be, but we know it will be great.”

About Hard Truth Distilling Co.

Headquartered in Nashville, Indiana, Hard Truth Distilling Co. produces more than 20 premium spirits, including critically acclaimed Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey and top-selling Hard Truth Cinnamon Vodka, Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum, and Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum Cream.

Hard Truth’s spirits are distributed in Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming with several new states in process for 2023.

Founded in 2015, Hard Truth Distilling Co. quickly outgrew its original production facility, and, by 2017, construction had begun on its current facility, a distillery housed in a 50,000-square-foot building equipped with a state-of-the-art Vendome Copper & Brass distilling system. Hard Truth’s destination campus spans 325 wooded acres in Brown County, Indiana — an artists’ colony and tourist destination known for its natural beauty. Visit hardtruth.com for the

complete Hard Truth experience.

The 141st auction is now live with more than seven thousand quality bottles to choose from.  As usual we thought we’d save you some scrolling time and highlight a few special expressions in this months auction to get you started.

A very rare and much sought after Largiemeanoch – Bowmore by another name – bottled in 1979 after twelve years of maturation.  The Largiemeanoch brand was created in the 1970’s for The Howgate Wine Company Ltd, and vanishingly few bottles remain. This legendary bottling is rarely seen at auction and the dark malt has tropical notes drawn from the years spent slumbering in the finest sherry casks.

A bottle that seems to get more impressive each time we see it, The Macallan 72 Year Old Lalique Genesis Decanter.  A fantastic expression this one, distilled in the 1940’s the whisky comes in a bespoke decanter by celebrated French crystal producers Lalique which is itself held in a case designed by Burgess Studio and handcrafted by cabinet maker NEJ Stevenson.  One of the oldest whiskies Macallan have ever bottled, this is your chance to purchase one of the most sought-after expressions on the secondary market.

An incredible old Mortlach distilled in 1936, and bottled in 1986 – 50 years later. 1936 was the year when the Spanish Civil War began, BBC started the first public TV broadcasts from London, and King Edward VIII abdicated for Wallis Simpson.  In keeping with the historical nature of this expression the label features artwork taken from The Book of Kells, a 9th century tome of inimitable beauty featuring Christian iconography combined with Celtic art.  A heady mix of art, history and rare whisky this one is not to be missed.

A bottle of Orcadian gold make no mistake, this is the Highland Park 1958 Vintage with Decanter & Book.   This 40 year old whisky was distilled in 1958 and is presented in this fantastic wooden box with its own Caithness Glass Decanter and a hardback book that celebrates whisky and Orkney.  Jim Robertson, Highland Park’s previous Distillery Manager, has signed each book.

As always there are some pretty special drams available this month, but with well over 7000 lots available there is something to suit everyone.  So the time has come to delve into this month’s auction, start building your watchlist, and as always best of luck to everyone in the auction.

Blair Athol

10 Years Old

‘Strawberry Fields’

NOSE: Pronounced fruity aromas are immediately detectable, followed by oak, strawberry jam, a touch of chocolate and warmth of spice.

PALATE: A quick strike of cracked black pepper fills the mouth and dissipates. A softer red fruit and sweetness ooze onto the palate. Unctuous and rich jam, chocolate and dried fruits follow close behind. A touch of leather, oak and a hint of vanilla meander through.

FINISH: The warmth remains long in the mouth, accompanied by the more mature chocolate and leathery tones. A drying spice lingers on.

£66.99

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13 Years Old

‘Tapestry’

NOSE: A bright fruit-driven nose of apricots, stewed apples, brown sugar and a touch of sticky toffee.

PALATE: A complicated dram indeed. Layers of delicate stone fruit, tinned fruit syrup and icing sugar weave in and out of richer classic sherry influences of sticky toffee pudding, dates and chocolate.

FINISH: Bright sugars and fruity syrup mellow first, leaving the headier notes to share centre stage with cinnamon spices and black pepper. Long warmth mellows in the mouth over the next few minutes.

£66.99

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Miltonduff

16 Years Old

‘Let’s Stay Together’

NOSE: Bold sherry initially cloaks the intricacies, but time and a touch of water reveal more delicate cooked fruits, cinnamon and cloves. A touch of milk chocolate skulks around the back.

PALATE: Rich sweetness washes over the palate with bright sparks of pepper from the alcohol. As the dram mellows, deeper stewed fruits and milk chocolate give way to lighter stone fruits and layers of spice.

FINISH: Milk chocolate and fruit fade first, revealing Christmas cake and a touch of nuttiness. Bags of spices loiter for a lengthy, balanced finish.

£98.99

Shop now