Loch Lomond Original

After an unfortunate incident involving clumsy fingers and accidental deletion of my initial thoughts on this peculiar spirit from October 11th, and realizing the absence of server-side backups for reviews, I felt compelled to revisit it. This was particularly bothersome as I approach my hundredth tasting, a milestone that unlocks a new level of whisky appreciation. My recollection of this whisky was a puzzling mid-palate flavor, possibly a savory stew, that I couldn't quite categorize, leaving me undecided on whether I liked it or not, simply marking it as 'curious.' To ensure I didn't miss out on securing a special dram for my hundredth review, I acquired another three-pack of 50ml bottles. I might gift the 12 and 18-year-old expressions to someone I dislike, or perhaps use them for cleaning my garage floor. However, this original expression warrants a second attempt. Nose: Initially, it presents an oily and dusty aroma, with faint caramel and nuttiness. There's a hint of citrus spray, and with continued smelling, a generic sweet fruitiness emerges, becoming progressively more malty. It's adequate, neither exceptional nor disappointing. Palate: It begins with a somewhat thin yet oily sensation that gradually thickens and becomes slightly creamy. Early on, it leans sweet with notes of toffee and vanilla over malty biscuits, accompanied by a mild chili spice. As the sweetness recedes, a savory element becomes more prominent, revealing a deep, vegetal flavor reminiscent of leafy greens and umami-rich meat stock, similar to the vegetable stock being prepared in the kitchen. This intriguing savory note complements the sweeter aspects well. It's slightly improved from my previous impression, with the chili perhaps less pronounced and the texture more coating and full, developing with continued sipping. Finish: Lasts a medium-long time, with notes of toasted malt, drying bitter coffee, and a subtle sourness. Possibly some marzipan is present, concluding with a chili heat located high and far back on the palate. Overall, I enjoyed this more on this occasion. While not a bottle I'd purchase even at $56, I remain ambivalent about the savory stew component, finding the nose generic and the chili finish underwhelming. I'm pleased to have experienced it again and feel I understand it better. It's not a bad whisky, and for $56, I'd even call it good, but it doesn't particularly excite me or resonate deeply.

Nose: Warm, oily malt extract, overripe fruit, rich dark earth. A hint of orange is present, but any peat smoke is absent, replaced by a very faint ashen or dusty aroma from the spirit or barrel char, overwhelmed by the dominant fruity malt character. Palate: Arrives creamy, oily, and sweet with underlying notes of stout or porter. Developing further, notes of toffee, dark fruit, oatmeal biscuits, and a robust, meaty flavor akin to spinach stewed in beef broth emerge. Towards the end, hints of buttered raisin toast, a touch of salt, and faint smokiness appear. It possesses significant body and a mouth-coating oiliness. Finish: Medium length. Sweetness balanced by a touch of earthy sourness. Quite satisfying. This is a remarkably substantial whisky with presence and a maturity uncommon in inexpensive non-age-statement spirits. It is malty, dense, and reminiscent of a west-coast Highland style. It appears to have improved since my last tasting several years ago, though the blend composition might have changed rather than the inclusion of older whiskies. It bears a resemblance to Ben Nevis, leading me to suspect Loch Lomond might be the undisclosed supplier for the malt whisky in the contemporary Nevis Dew blended scotch, which is produced by Ben Nevis using mostly external whiskies. I am very fond of this. It offers authenticity, a grounded character, and is thoroughly satisfying. It's not a delicate or nuanced whisky, but rather a bold malt powerhouse that is enjoyable to sip and affordable enough for mixing. If your previous experience with this whisky was unimpressive, I suggest trying it again. Tasted from a 3-pack of 50ml official distillery samples. “Above Average”: 81/100 (3 stars)

Loch Original Berry and sweet. Red raisin, rated 2.25. Delicate and red fruity, with sweetness and a hint of sourness, low effervescence, rated 2 only because it's too delicate for my preference, slight bitterness but mostly a grapey taste, rated 2. Oaky and boring, rated 1. Total score: 1.75. I was very excited to try this after sampling a bottle of Loch Lomond Single Cask 11 Years (Limited Edition), which was absolutely mind-blowing. Let's see how this compares. Interesting grape and berry notes, cherry sweetness, a lack of smoke, and a playful candy twang, rated 3. Cotton candy, sweet soda drink, cordial, delicate, light, not oily, a very clean sweetness. It seems to differ from the complexity I experienced with the Loch Lomond TSC 11YO Cask, but it's a relatively interesting drink, rated 2.25. Thin with a lack of depth and sustain, rated 2.25. Rated 2.5, downgraded to 2.25.

Given its aging in American oak, the nose predictably exhibits bourbon-like characteristics: spice and a sweet corn aroma. The palate is light to medium in body, smooth, and somewhat sweet with a hint of oak spice. However, the specific flavors are elusive, like faint outlines of familiar notes without clear definition. The finish is surprising, offering a lingering hint of smoke from the first sip and a touch of spicy pepper. It's a long and pleasant conclusion. I approached this dram with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. It's quite good!

A dependable, standard Scotch. The aroma is typical malt, with a hint of fermentation funk and a touch of floral notes. It's supposedly peated, but I doubt even someone who dislikes peat would notice it. The taste is slightly sweet and has the typical flavor of single grain whisky. It's very average. There's a tiny bit of warmth on the tongue. Nothing about it is disagreeable. What's present is pleasant and easy to drink, but it's not particularly exciting.

Surprisingly sweet, with delicate floral notes and green peaches, plus a sharp menthol aftertaste. The smokiness is very mild, slightly irritating on the palate. It's affordable and fairly mellow, a decent alternative if an Islay isn't available.