Review / Loch Lomond Steam & Fire

The Highland distillery of Loch Lomond has launched the latest expression in it Remarkable Makers series of Scotch single malts - the Loch Lomond Steam & Fire. The new whisky has been finished for 10 months in heavily charred American oak barrels, which were fired at Loch Lomond's own cooperage, and highlights the capabilities of distillation and maturation. It features spirit produced on the distillery's traditional swan neck still and unorthodox straight neck still, plus a small pocket of heavily peated spirit. These average between six and nine years of age.

Review / Noble Rebel Malts

The Highland distillery of Loch Lomond has announced the release of a new range of blended malts named Noble Rebel. The new range is designed to 'push boundaries in the pursuit of flavour' and consists of three expressions - Orchard Outburst, Smoke Symphony and Hazelnut Harmony. These have been created by Michael Henry, the Master Blender for Loch Lomond. 

Review - Glen Scotia 11 years old Sherry Double Cask Finish

This 11 years old Sherry Double Cask Finish is a new limited edition single malt from the Campbeltown distillery of Glen Scotia. The new whisky is created using first-fill ex-bourbon barrels that were filled with Glen Scotia's unpeated spirit in 2008, which were then split between ex-Oloroso and ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks for a finishing period. It is unusual as Glen Scotia normally has a small amount of peat. These casks were then married back together in ex-bourbon casks for a short period, before bottling at 11 years of age and at the natural cask strength of 54.1% ABV. The whisky is also non chill-filtered and of natural colour. 

Inbox - The Week's Whisky News (July 28, 2017)

Welcome to Inbox.  For those new to WFE, Inbox is our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our email inbox. It was created as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday.

Review - Glen Scotia 25 years old

This whisky is the new super premium bottling from the Campbeltown-based distillery of Glen Scotia. The Glen Scotia 25 years old is the oldest expression in the current single malt range from the distillery and was launched at the recent Campbeltown Festival. The core range also includes the Double Cask, 15 years old and Victoriana expressions. The whisky has been matured in American oak casks that were then hand selected by Michael Henry, the Master Blender of Glen Scotia, and then transferred to first fill ex-bourbon casks.  It has been bottled at 48.8% ABV and is available through selected specialist whisky retailers worldwide. A bottle should cost £250.

Inbox - The Week's Whisky News (February 10, 2017)

Welcome to Inbox.  For those new to WFE, Inbox is our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our email inbox. It was created as we cannot write full articles or do justice to every piece received. It features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday.

In the whisky cupboard ... Littlemill 12 years old

Littlemill is a closed distillery that was located in the Lowlands region of Scotland, situated to the north west of Glasgow between the towns of Clydebank and Dumbarton. Production at the distillery finished in 1992 following its owners going into liquidation and if it had still been in operation today, Littlemill would be Scotland's oldest distillery. It was founded in 1772, three years before the current oldest at Glenturret started production, although records show that an illegal distillery was operating on the site as early as the 1750s.

The stocks of Littlemill whisky are in decline, as no new whisky has been produced for over 17 years. It is also unlikely that the distillery will be started as it has been dismantled and most of the buildings demolished. As a result, Littlemill whisky is hard to find and is becoming rarer as time passes. The majority of what is left is owned by the Loch Lomond Distillery Company, who release only this 12 years old, and a number of the independent bottling companies. Buying an independent bottling remains the best way to try a Littlemill whisky as Loch Lomond only sporadically release limited numbers of this 12 years old.

The colour of this Littlemill 12 years old is golden yellow with a nose that is aromatic and a touch unusual. On the nose, there is a pleasant sweetness (think of toffee or butterscotch), heaps of cereal grains, a hint of some tropical fruit (maybe mangoes but definitely coconut) and a distinct grassiness (imagine dried grass, straw and hay). On the palate, these characteristics are well replicated and it feels warm, buttery and creamy. It is the cereal grains, sweet toffee and grassiness that are particularly prominent. There is also just a hint of some nuts (think of almonds) and some warm spice, like ginger. Despite its richness, it finishes freshly in the mouth, giving a mixture of that toffee/buttercotch/cereal sweetness, the grassiness (this has more freshness this time, like hay) and just a final whiff of raw spirit. That combination may not sound great on paper but it works really well, with the herbal notes balancing the richer sweet ones.

Littlemill 12 years old is a good whisky that is enjoyable, refreshing and uncomplicated. The prominent grassiness and distinct cereal notes may put some people off but it is well worth a try before it runs out. It also represents great value at between £25-30, especially when you consider that it is from a closed distillery and the stocks are dwindling. You will generally only find this in selected specialist whisky retailers.

Have just tried ... Littlemill 19 years old 'Old & Rare' from Douglas Laing & Co

Littlemill was a distillery located in the Lowlands region of Scotland, situated to the north west of Glasgow between the towns of Clydebank and Dumbarton. Production ceased at the distillery in 1992 and a majority of the buildings have since been demolished. Had it still been in operation today, Littlemill would have been Scotland's oldest distillery. It was founded in 1772, three years before the current oldest at Glenturret started production, although records show that a distillery was operating on the site as early as the 1750s. The common Lowland practice of triple distillation was followed until 1930, when they switched to double distillation.

The stock of Littlemill is declining, as no new whisky has been produced for 17 years. As a result Littlemill whisky is hard to find and is becoming rarer as time passes. The majority of what is left is owned by the Loch Lomond Distillery Company, who release a 12 years old, and a number of the independent bottling companies. Buying independent bottlings remains the best way to try a Littlemill whisky as Loch Lomond only sporadically release limited numbers of the 12 years old. It can occasionally be bottled as Dunglas or Dumback (a smoky version) but both are exceptionally rare and very expensive.

This 19 years old is released by the Glasgow based independent bottler Douglas Laing & Co and forms part of their 'Old & Rare' premium range of whiskies. Just a single cask has been released resulting in only 333 bottles and the price is just over £100 for a bottle. The colour is golden and the nose has all the classic notes of quality bourbon cask maturation - lots of vanilla, oaky wood and sweet coconut (reminding me of a Bounty bar). There is also plenty of grainy cereals present and some yeast (think of a robust grainy style of bread). On the palate, this is again very grainy with lots of vanilla and coconut. Something quite sweet and sugary comes through (imagine butterscotch), as does a herbal grassy note (think of dried grasses or hay). The slight bitterness of this herbal note balances the overall sweetness of the other elements. The finish is long and pleasant with a similar combination of bitter grassiness and sweet cereal grains. As the alcohol level is 55.4% ABV, some water was added and this made the whisky lighter and fresher with a more floral nose (think of honeysuckle) and a citrus note present on the palate (imagine orange zest).

Have just tried ... Glen Scotia 15 years old 'Old Malt Cask' from Douglas Laing & Co

Glen Scotia (pronounced glen sco-sha) is one of Scotland's smallest and least known whisky distilleries. It has an annual operating capacity of only 750,000 litres and is one of only three remaining distilleries in operation in the region of Campbeltown. The other two are Springbank and Glengyle (which only opened in 2004), both of which are owned by the Mitchell family. The Campbeltown peninsula is located on the west Highland coast, roughly lying between Glasgow and the western isles. Glen Scotia is a cramped distillery and can be found on the main street of the town of Campbeltown. It was founded in 1832 and is the only distillery in Scotland to have stills made from steel alloy rather than copper.

The Campbeltown region once sustained over 30 distilleries and was a major force in whisky production. However, it was hit harder than the other regions during difficult times due to the remoteness of its location and the resulting transportation problems. To a certain degree Glen Scotia lives in the shadow of it's bigger and more famous neighbour, Springbank. It is currently owned by The Loch Lomond Distillery Company and they release only two regular single malt bottlings - a 12 years old and a rarer 17 years old. Both are hard to find, even in specialist whisky retailers. The most accessable way to try Glen Scotia is through the number of independent bottlings that are available on the market, such as this 15 years old that is released through the Glasgow based Douglas Laing & Co as part of their 'Old Malt Cask' range.

The colour is a gorgeous dark amber and the nose is lovely and aromatic. It has an interesting and sumptuous mix of dried fruit (think of raisins especially) and warm spices (imagine cinnamon) from its sherry cask maturation that are then combining with a light, earthy smokiness (think of damp soil and moss). On the palate, that smokiness is at the forefront but then dies away gradually to reveal more subtle sweet notes - cereal grains, honey, dried fruits and caramel. The spiciness from the nose seems a bit hotter though (more reminiscent of ginger and peppercorns). Despite the numerous sweet elements, this whisky does not feel too sweet as the mossy smokiness and a final, slightly metallic note balance it out well. The finish is long and becomes fairly dry with the smoke finally fading to nothing. That slight metallic note (can only be described as quite tinny) hangs around also and is the only negative element present, although it is the last thing you taste so it stays in your memory. This is a shame.

This is a good whisky and would be a great choice to introduce someone to smoky whisky, as it is lightly peated. The sherry cask maturation has worked very well here and compliments that level of smokiness almost perfectly. It would also go well with a mild style of cigar. A bottle will cost £55-60 from specialist whisky retailers and is a good example of what good quality can be found if you explore some of Scotland's lesser known distilleries.