Review by: Raygun

Never had a chance to try Lochside before. It had only a brief history as a single malt. It started out as a brewery, then turned into a grain distillery, and only started making malt in 1961. Then it was shut down in 1992 before being demolished five years later. Can’t compare with Ladyburn for brevity of history, but it’s pretty short. Reviewed from a bar pour. Rested about five minutes.

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Distillery: Lochside  

Bottler: The Whisky Agency 

Region/style: Highlands single malt Scotch

ABV: 54%. Cask strength

Age: 29 years. Distilled in 1981 and bottled in 2010. 

Cask type: Hogshead, 183 bottles    

Color: Too dark to tell. Natural color and non-chill-filtered.

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Nose: Intense. Cocoa powder, old furniture, caramelized bananas, French toast, and some rum-like funk. Smells old and rich.    

Palate: Oh wow. That’s a major left turn. If you told me this was an old rum, I’d probably believe you. Lime curd, pineapple cake, caramelized bananas, passion fruit, donuts. Hint of salinity makes it even better. Reminds me of some Ben Nevis. Did Lochside use brewer’s yeast?

Finish: Passion fruit, lime curd, donuts, and some of that funk. Subtle, but definitely reminiscent of Jamaican rum. Caramel and hints of cocoa powder. Kind of in between the nose and palate. Could use a touch more strength here 

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Conclusion: What a first Lochside. This is remarkable. Such a turn from nose to palate, and then the finish has elements of both. Thought it might be a 10 from the palate, but the finish was not quite there. Very close. Still an amazing pour, and I will dream about having a bottle.

Score: 94

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
• 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
• 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)