Origin: Highlands (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 55.7%ABV
Ageing cask: Finished in ex-Sherry Oloroso first fill
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Dram Mor Group
Average price: € 110.00
Official website: drammorgroup.com
Vote: 87/100
At the end of 2023, the Dumbarton bottler finally found its way to Italy thanks to Bolis Vini, a distributor who took over their catalogue and began importing some of their references.
It therefore seems appropriate in this early 2024 to taste one of last autumn’s releases, pouring this Loch Lomond into the glass under the name Inchmurrin, used when the distillate is made with straight neck stills.
Initial maturation unknown with finishing in a hogshead ex Oloroso Sherry first-fill, as always cask strength, which produced 209 bottles.
Tasting notes
The nose expresses all the decadence of sherry, with cinnamon and nutmeg sprinkled over dried fruit (figs, apricots, dates), blueberries, chestnut honey, molasses, balsamic vinegar and leather. From this seemingly overpowering blanket, more caressing notes of vanilla, marshmallow, dried flowers and baked apple emerge in a balanced balance of light and dark.
In the mouth, it’s again the sherry that dominates but with smaller bravado, lesser bright tones than you would expect, where it’s the red fruits that drive the impressions (black cherry, blueberry, blackcurrant) accompanied by pomegranate, with the dried fruit part of the nose kind of muted. A citrusy vein (blood orange) makes its mark, while fondant, sweet liquorice, caramel, balsamic vinegar and spices rise to the fore. A green part with balsamic vagueness crawls in the background, candied mango and an impression of cola appear along the length.
Fairly long finish of nutmeg, cinnamon, red fruits, fondant and vegetable notes.
It starts off with a risk of drowning in sherry but soon rears its head again, showing what the distillate is capable of if handled with care. Intense and muscular on the nose, more compliant on the palate, a never boring dram that does credit to a distillery not always at the top of its shape.