Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 12 Year

Nose: This is immediately noticeable. It has a musty, funky quality along with honeyed cereal grains. Oak and perhaps some brine are present, maybe even a little peat? Minerality and citrus oils are detected, almost like candied lemon peels. Macerated ripe fruits are also present in the background. The absence of new make character suggests an age beyond 10 years, possibly up to 15. The depth and types of sweetness indicate the use of bourbon and sherry casks. The alcohol content might be around 45%. Palate: It's approachable. This confuses the palate. It's unclear if it's entirely malt or a blend. There are hints of sherry cask or new charred oak Irish spirits. Notes of bananas, vanilla, and cream are present, with a slightly biscuity character. Citrus oils and that touch of minerality persist, supporting the initial guess of Scotch. However, no peat is detected on the palate. Black tea, baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and black pepper are noticeable. Smaller casks could account for the oak character and barrel bite. The estimated age is 10-15 years, with charred new oak or small casks potentially used. No sherry cask is suspected this time. It's identified as Scotch, but not from Islay. These notes are primarily on the mid and back palate. It's relatively balanced overall, with a medium mouthfeel and some tannin texture. Finish: A burst of ethanol quickly fades. A balance of black pepper, toasted grains, honey, and vanilla emerges. Dry oak underlies everything. Minerality, barrel bitterness/tannins, and barrel char/smoke are present alongside subtle vanilla and white sugar as it fades. The finish is medium in length. Other notes: This was a great experience! The age was estimated reasonably well. The ABV was off by 1%. The cask types involved a combination of first-fill ex-bourbon, refilled, and re-charred casks. While the specifics weren't entirely accurate, the perception of fresh char, which also presented as a slightly smoky character, was present, explaining the initial thought of peat. Feeling good about the accuracy, considering the complexity of blending cask types. I enjoyed this one. It would serve as an excellent introduction to Scotch for bourbon enthusiasts and a good bridge for Scotch drinkers moving towards bourbon. However, I'm not sure I would purchase it for myself. It's not flawed, but it doesn't offer enough distinct character from either category. Nevertheless, it's a solid drink. Cheers until next time!

I'm enjoying this 12-year-old single cask, cask-strength limited edition. My first thought went to Japanese products I enjoyed before they became too expensive for regular people. This has a similar forest, fresh air quality (calling it 'grassy' doesn't do it justice). It's a subtle drop, but the higher ABV provides real impact without sacrificing a cohesive flavor profile. Adding a little water unlocks the full spectrum of taste. On the nose, it smells like forest air. I love it. In the mouth, there's apple, custard, and a welcome citrus note that enhances the experience. The finish isn't overwhelming, but it leaves the palate feeling tingly. It's different. Perhaps not for everyone. But I rate it as more pleasing.

A significant surprise and a solid everyday bottle. Everyone who has tried it has enjoyed this bottle (friends and hockey buddies). It's quite interesting, as it sits between a Highland (fruity) and an Islay (smoky). This bottle is relatively rare, but it makes one curious to explore other products from this distillery! It has a quite pronounced vanilla scent, with a caramelized apple taste. Medium length. Bonus points for the good value for money. Bottle opened in March 2025.

This tastes different and superior this time. I'm detecting some fortified wine notes, more akin to Madeira than sherry. I've been drinking a lot of mezcal this month, and after tasting these tonight, this is by far the best dram compared to Highland Park 12, Deanston 12, and Glen Grant 16. I would try other expressions from this distillery and would certainly get this particular one again at a bar sometime, but I don't want a whole bottle of Inchmurrin 12.

While this isn't a show-stopping Scotch, it's a really good everyday drinker! It's especially good if you enjoy butterscotch and caramel notes. The nose is quite beautiful with sweet caramel cream appearing immediately, leading to a rich, oily mouthfeel that stays on the palate with a very subtle smokiness in the finish.

For some reason, it resembles Bunnahabhain 12, but this is exclusively ex-bourbon without sherry maturation. However, those flavors are less rich than in Bunnahabhain 12, and I also detect faint butterscotch here (which isn't particularly pleasant). I get menthol in the long finish, which is a deal-breaker.