Review by: The Muskox

I’ve had mixed experiences with Loch Lomond, but the standard bottlings seem to consistently be well-priced for their age statement. To boot, this 14-year-old bottling is finished in virgin Limousin casks. You know me and my French oak fetish.

Sorry about the glass on this one. This tasting bar used to have copitas…

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Distillery: Loch Lomond.

Bottler: Official bottling.

Region: Highlands.

ABV: 46%.

Age: 14 years.

Cask type: Initially matured in American oak casks, then finished in virgin French Limousin oak casks.  

Price: $90 CAD.

Color: Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.

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Nose: Rich and sweet. Browned butter, raspberry-filled pastries, raisin bread, and chocolate. Pumpkin spice? — cinnamon and allspice, at least.

Palate: Medium thick texture. Arrives with butterscotch and vanilla, turning fragrant with toasted coconut and tangerine peels. Develops to rich oak, assam tea, subtle cedar, milk chocolate ganache, and distant crackling campfire. Something floral towards the back end.

Finish: Quite long. Nut brittle, sesame seeds, chocolate gelato, clove, more browned butter, and dried citrus peels.

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Possible SMWS bottling name: “Midnight fireside tea & cookies”

Conclusion: That didn’t disappoint – it’s is a rich and balanced dram that delivers on French oak flavour without overdoing it. I could compare it to the also-European-oak-finished Fettercairn 18 that I tried somewhat recently – the Fettercairn had some nice tropical fruit that’s absent here, but the mouthfeel and finish on this Loch Lomond are a step above. Probably a toss-up, maybe I’d give it to the Fettercairn if I was really drinking critically, but for casual sipping, the Lomond was so satisfying.

Final Score: 85.

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.