Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled a new 50-year-old single malt, priced at a hefty £25,000. This exclusive release is limited to just 100 individually-numbered bottles worldwide, making it a rare find for whisky enthusiasts.
Distilled in 1973, this single malt has been crafted using 100% unpeated malt barley. It represents some of the oldest reserves at the Loch Lomond distillery. The aging process for this whisky has been quite unique. Initially, it matured in refilled American oak casks, allowing the spirit to develop its initial character. In 2011, it was transferred to first-fill bourbon casks, which added another layer of complexity. Finally, in 2017, it was re-casked into Oloroso sherry hogsheads, further enriching its flavor profile.
Master blender Michael Henry, who has been with the distillery since 2007, oversaw the entire maturation process. Henry stated, “The decision to re-cask a whisky of this quality and age is not something I take lightly. However, the complexity and depth of flavour brought by the first fill bourbon and the Oloroso sherry casks have made this a truly special single malt, which provides a window into our past and captures the original style of whisky making at Loch Lomond Distillery.”
The 50-year-old whisky is presented in a Glencairn Crystal decanter and bottled at 42.6% ABV. Its flavor profile is described as rich and creamy, with the six years spent in Oloroso sherry casks adding a distinctive cinnamon flavor. On the nose, it offers light and fruity notes of orange, mint, and mango. The palate brings forth flavors of melted brown sugar, marmalade, cherry, and a warming cinnamon spice.
Henry expressed his pride in being part of the process, saying, “The expectations are high when you are working with liquid as special and as scarce as this, but it is a true honour to be the final custodian of such a special piece of history.”
This release follows a previous 50-year-old single malt from Loch Lomond in 2017, which was then the distillery’s oldest and rarest bottling. That whisky was bottled at 46.2% ABV, aged in an American oak hogshead and then an English oak hogshead, and was priced at £12,000. Only 60 decanters of the 2017 release were made available worldwide.
The new Loch Lomond 50-Year-Old single malt, with its meticulous crafting and aging process, stands as a testament to the distillery's dedication to producing high-quality and innovative whiskies. For collectors and connoisseurs, this bottle not only represents a unique tasting experience but also a significant piece of whisky-making history.
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About Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond Distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery located in Alexandria, near the famous Loch Lomond in Scotland. Founded in 1964, Loch Lomond Distillery has a rich history of whisky production and is known for its diverse range of single malt and blended Scotch whiskies. The distillery takes its name from the nearby Loch Lomond, one of Scotland's largest and most picturesque freshwater lakes.
One of the unique aspects of Loch Lomond Distillery is its versatility in whisky production. The distillery has the capability to produce a wide variety of whisky styles, including peated and unpeated single malts, as well as grain whisky. This versatility is made possible by the distillery's combination of pot stills and column stills, allowing for different distillation methods and flavor profiles.
Loch Lomond Distillery's range of whiskies includes both core expressions and limited-edition releases, each offering its own distinctive character and flavor profile. The distillery's single malt whiskies are typically aged in a combination of American oak and ex-bourbon barrels, as well as sherry casks, to develop their rich and complex flavors.
In addition to its single malts, Loch Lomond Distillery also produces blended Scotch whiskies, such as its Loch Lomond Original and Loch Lomond Reserve expressions. These blends are crafted using a combination of whiskies from the distillery's own stocks, resulting in well-balanced and approachable drams suitable for both casual sipping and mixing in cocktails.
Overall, Loch Lomond Distillery is celebrated for its commitment to quality and innovation in whisky production. With its diverse range of whiskies and its stunning location on the shores of Loch Lomond, the distillery offers a unique and memorable whisky experience for enthusiasts and visitors alike, showcasing the best of Scotland's whisky-making heritage.
