Review of Loch Lomond 12-Year-Old Perfectly Balanced Single Malt Scotch

 

A distillery’s history can usually be traced from its beginnings to the present day. There are public records to peruse; there are fans and historians who have written about them, and there’s the best we refer to as the Internet. Occasionally, you run across a distillery with more of a sketchy one; such is the case with Loch Lomond Distillery.

 

What is known is that the distillery was first established in 1814 near Tarbet, located at the northern end of Loch Lomond. Aaaaaaand, that’s about it. Record-keeping was minimal, and no one is certain when it was eventually dismantled. However, in 1965, the former owners of Littlemill Distillery founded the new Loch Lomond Distillery, located in the village of Bowling, within Scotland’s Highland region.

 

Loch Lomond Distillery was shuttered in 1984, and it wasn’t until three years later that Alexander Bulloch and the Glen Catrine Bonded Warehouse, Ltd. purchased it and resumed distilling malt whisky. Then, in 1993, it added grain whisky to its portfolio. At that time, Loch Lomond was the only Scottish distillery producing malt and grain whiskies.

 

Loch Lomond’s master blender is Michael Henry; the distillery credits both him and its unique pot stills as what differentiates its whisky from what others offer. It utilizes both traditional swan-neck pot stills and straight-neck pot stills, each with 32 attached copper plates.

 

Loch Lomond also has an operational cooperage, placing it in an unusual position compared to most others. In fact, Loch Lomond is one of only four in Scotland with one! It employs a staff of ten coopers, each making, repairing, and rejuvenating about 30,000 barrels annually.

The Loch Lomond Distillery is part of the Loch Lomond Group, which also owns Campbeltown’s Glen Scotia, Highland’s Inchmoan, and a host of other brands.

 

That brings us to the subject of today’s review: Loch Lomond 12-Year-Old Perfectly Balanced.

 

“If you asked me today what I would reach for time and again from our portfolio, I would have to say the 12-Year-Old Perfectly Balanced. Not only is this expression the best representation of our Highlands whisky, but it’s also a superlative example of our signature distillery style.” – Michael Henry, Master Blender

 

Perfectly Balanced is a single malt Scotch made from 100% peated malted barley. It has aged for a dozen years in three types of American oak, is non-chill filtered, and is packaged at 46% ABV (92°).

 

Before I begin this #DrinkCurious adventure, I must thank Foley Wines & Spirits, the exclusive US importer for the Loch Lomond Group, for providing me with a sample in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.   

 

• Whisky Type: Single Malt Scotch
• Region: Highland
• Distiller: Loch Lomond Distillery
• Age: 12 years
• Mashbill: 100% malted barley
• Cooperage: Three types of American oak: Bourbon, Refill, and Re-Charred
• Alcohol Content: 46% ABV (92°)
• Price per 750mL: $59.99
• Non-Chill Filtered

 

Appearance: I had a neat pour into my Glencairn glass. The copper color made for a warm welcome, although I’m unsure if this whisky is naturally-colored or not. A medium rim produced thick, tightly spaced, slow tears.

 

Nose: After allowing this Scotch ample time to breathe, I was ready to explore it further. The aroma included smells of pears, green apples, stewed peaches, lemon zest, and vanilla. I tasted baked apples as I drew the air through my lips.

 

Palate: Loch Lomond’s mouthfeel was thick and creamy. Immediately, I recognized the smoky peat, which made me smile. After the palate shock, I took a second sip. Apples, pears, and peaches hit the front of my palate. The middle featured pastries, marmalade, and leather. On the back, I found mild peat, charred oak, and vanilla.

 

Finish: For its entire duration, the finish was smoky and filled with oak spice. Hidden here and there were marmalade, lemon zest, and vanilla. I timed it at 1:24, placing this squarely in the medium category.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: When I mention peat, I don’t want folks who find that offputting to worry. It is hardly a peat-bomb, but it is a component of this whisky. There is so much to enjoy here, and unless you have a peat-adverse palate, there is nothing to dislike. It is priced reasonably, it delivers a ton of character, and its name seems apt: Perfectly Balanced. The fruits, the spice; there is harmony between them.

 

I am thrilled to have Loch Lomond in my Whiskey Library and have no qualms about crowning it with my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.