Campbeltown Loch Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

The aroma is mellow and subdued, beginning with honeydew, bubbly lemon-lime, and fallen leaves. It continues with cocoa-dusted golden raisins, scorched hay, and a briny, rocky coastal scent, followed by pears, mangoes, and seared pineapple. This then shifts to light baking spices and gentle black tea, with minimal alcohol sting. The taste presents a medium body, starting with smooth tropical fruits before a gentle spice that quickly vanishes into honeycomb, bubbly lemon-lime, and leaf litter. This is then followed by cocoa-dusted golden raisins, flaming hay bales, and a briny, rocky coastal essence, along with caramelized pears, mangoes, and seared pineapple. It transitions to light baking spices and mild black tea, with a noticeable alcohol burn. The finish is medium in duration, featuring a mild spice, dark chocolate-covered raisins, roasted oranges, burning hay, a briny, rocky coastal character, and gentle black tea. I had reservations about how the blend of Springbank, Glen Scotia, and Kilkerran would turn out, but this one proved to be quite successful. It offers a well-rounded mix of sweet citrus, gentle peat smoke, faint barnyard notes, and a briny, rocky coastal minerality. It's a smooth and easy-drinking dram, ideal for anyone who appreciates whiskies from Campbeltown. Considering its suggested retail price of approximately $55, this is an excellent value if you manage to find it. Many thanks to a friend for the kind sample.

No grain, a blend of all the Campbeltown malts - how can you go wrong? Seriously, with the current scarcity of Springbank and others, this is a major find. Who cares if it's young; it has a Springbank stamp on the bottle. Dusty, creamy malt with some salted caramel/toffee. Tanned leather hanging by the sea with an ocean breeze. There are hints of the farmy Springbank funk, but the pungent grapefruit/blood orange zest is absent; think Hazel is more prominent. There are some nice medicinal notes and touches of char and wispy smoke with earthy tones. It's a bit rough in a good way and overall worth purchasing. That said, all the other offerings from the region I've tried were superior. Prices have increased so much that this appears to be a strong value, but in reality, it probably isn't. I think I (we) are so desperate for Springbank products that just acquiring it raises the score slightly. It's a good, solid quality malt blend; I just wish it were $10-15 cheaper, and then I would feel good about it......88/100... can't give 4 stars...yet.

The aroma is filled with mango, tangerine, pear, raisin, dried cherry, salty sea air, and a faint industrial funk. The palate continues the fruit notes, followed by pepper and dark chocolate. While Longrow is supposedly involved, I don't detect much peat. That slight industrial note was more noticeable on the nose than the palate. It seems Hazelburn and Glen Scotia are the most dominant influences in the blend, though at times it feels like Springbank and Kilkerran make brief appearances. I'd rather they had more significant roles, but as someone who appreciates almost anything from Campbeltown, it's still a success for me. The price is somewhat fair for what it is, but I'm not sure I'd pay much more than the $60 I spent. Update: As I've consumed more of the bottle, some peat seems to be emerging and the fruit flavors are fading. Intriguing, and it makes me like this even more.

Having recently visited the charming town of Campbeltown, as the New York weather finally cools enough for drinks that don't need chilling, my first impulse is to open the suitcase of goodies I brought back. However, it's still too warm for my high-proof finds, so I've turned to this taste of Campbeltown from a prior excursion to the Cadenhead shop in London. It's a straightforward blend that hits all the expected notes of a Springbank/Glen Scotia/Kilkerran combination: the aroma is rich and slightly peaty smoke reminiscent of toasted marshmallows. The taste features malty barley with a touch of lemon and some woody spice that carries through the moderately long finish. It's not worth inflated secondary market prices, but at its 45-pound retail cost, it's as pleasant as the view from the harbor's loch.

I genuinely enjoyed this, expecting the opposite. This blend of single malts somehow perfectly captures the essence of the Campbeltown whisky region. It definitely has a lot of Springbank character, but it's not just a variation of their typical profile. Additionally, this is apparently one bottle that resellers and speculators didn't profit from initially because it wasn't considered 'trendy.' I appreciate a story where the secondary market faces a bit of comeuppance. If you have the opportunity to get some, this is an excellent bottle to diversify your collection or simply to sample at a bar. Don't dismiss it because it's 'a blend,' especially when the components are such high-quality single malts.

Some refer to it as the less expensive Springbank, a blended malt made from young, inferior, or leftover casks. Let's see! The nose is citric, funky, and youthful, starting with spiced oranges, mild pepper, and hints of peat smoke. Engine oil, brine, and raisins emerge. The firm entry is accompanied by marmalade, lemon drops, and slightly earthy notes before shifting towards baking spices, pears, and melon. Lime, black tea, and developing peatiness carry into the zesty, fresh, and mildly dry finish. It's not more than the sum of its parts, but it satisfies my craving for a Campbeltown dram. RATING: 3.7/5.0 stars ≙ 85 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE [+]