Origin: Lowlands (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Gradation: 60.1%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon first fill, ex-Sherry Oloroso
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Lochlea Distilling Co.
Average price: € 80.00
Official website: www.lochleadistillery.com
Vote: 82/100
Inevitably, the young distillery in the Lowlands has decided to offer a cask strength version of its whisky, because what enthusiast doesn’t want to try a Scotch as it comes out of the cask?
Matured 70% in ex-bourbon casks and 30% in ex-sherry for this first 2023 edition of an annual series, the 2024 version of which has not yet been announced.
Tasting notes
First noticeable on the nose is the total absence of alcohol, perfectly hidden among the soft aromas of pastries and yellow fruit, with just a hint of red fruits (currants, sultanas, plums). With gentle progression the details of fruit tarts (peach, pear, mango, pineapple) and lemon curd unfold, with slight touches of malt and candy canes. Pleasant.
The palate immediately shoots out black pepper, aniseed and cinnamon, with the red fruit part gaining space in the vinous impressions with gooseberries and raspberries, accompanied by crisp apple, kiwi and lemon, moving all the creamy part that dominated the nose to the rear. The alcohol comes out, without excess, and brings abundant nuts (walnuts, almonds, toasted hazelnuts) with malt and vegetable background notes.
The finish is quite long with vinous astringency, red fruits, pepper, apple and vegetal notes tending towards the balsamic.
It starts off very well on the nose and loses itself a little on the palate, where the even minority presence of ex-sherry casks seems to take over, upsetting the balance. The alcohol content is good, but it loses depth and complexity.