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Loch Lomond is a brand of grain and malt whiskey with a spicy slightly smoky taste, which is produced in the Scottish Highlands. The brand is owned by the family company A. Bulloch & Co, which has managed to raise the little-known brand to a high level thanks to innovative technologies. The annual production of the distillery is 85 million bottles, some of which is exported to Russia.
Historical information
The production of alcoholic beverages in the Scottish city of Alexandria began in 1814. The first plant did not last long – the date and reason for its closure are unknown. The new distillery was built much later – in 1964 on the site of the abandoned warehouses of the finishing materials factory. The company was named Loch Lomond in honor of the nearby lake, which is considered one of the most beautiful reservoirs in the world.
The first batch of whiskey was released in 1966. The distillery continued to operate until 1984, and then closed, unable to withstand competition from more established firms. Three years later, the plant was bought by Glen Catrine, led by Alexander Bullock. First, the production of malt was restored, and since 1993 the production of alcoholic beverages has resumed.
The owners decided to supplement the assortment with new varieties of wheat whiskey, for which they purchased new equipment and modernized production. The universal distillation plant has become a landmark in the Scottish alcohol industry. The assortment of the enterprise includes 13 types of products, including both traditional and blended types of whiskey.
Production features
Hundreds of specialists visit Loch Lomond every year to learn about the innovative technology of making the drink. In production, four types of distillation cubes of different shapes are used, in which whiskey of different grades is obtained. Some of them are equipped with seven distillation plates, which increases the area for capturing distillate vapor and allows you to get alcohol with a strength of up to 85%.
Specialists are experimenting with different types of malt and yeast strains. One of the plants produces grain alcohol from durum wheat, which is added to blends. The company owns its own cooperage, which processes up to 20 barrels a year. About sixty million liters of alcohol are stored in warehouses.
Awards:
- Hong Kong International Spirits Competition 2015, Hong Kong – silver medal;
- International Spirits Challenge 2016, London – silver medal;
- IWSC 2016, London – silver medal;
- San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2016, 2017, 2018, San Francisco – gold medal;
- Berlin International Spirits Competition 2018, Berlin – gold medal;
- The Spirits Business 2018 – silver medal.
Interesting Facts
The company does not consider Russia as a priority export destination. The unusual taste of peat whiskey is designed for a narrow audience of connoisseurs, who are still few in the country. The Loch Lomond brand is in demand at home, as well as in Germany and Scandinavia.
The Loch Lomond distillery has become a tourist attraction thanks to the hero of the comic strip “The Adventures of Tintin” Captain Haddock, who prefers this particular brand of whiskey. The image of a tanker with the company’s corporate colors appeared on the pages of the publication more than once.
Types of whiskey Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond Original Single Malt, 40%
Single malt whiskey is aged in sherry casks, where it acquires the aroma of leather and heather, after the addition of water, floral notes appear. The texture of the drink is creamy, citrus and nutty shades are mixed in the taste. Pineapple, green apple and honey are felt at the finish.
Loch Lomond Single Grain, 46%
Scotch whiskey with mild aromas of malt and apple-filled biscuits. On the palate, shades of pineapple and lemon zest stand out with a slight vanilla sweetness on the finish. The strong drink is aged in bourbon barrels.
Loch Lomond Reserve Blend, 40%
A premium amber-colored whiskey with orange marmalade and freshly baked bread flavors. When diluted, hints of honey and vanilla appear. The aroma contains the smells of flowers and dried fruits. Ripe melon is felt at the finish.
Loch Lomond Signature, 40%
Whiskey is aged in burgundy barrels, which gives it a subtle wine aroma. The taste contains tones of chocolate, cinnamon and malt; in a diluted form, dried fruits predominate. Aftertaste – currant with lemon sourness.
Loch Lomond Inchmurrin, 46%
The whiskey recipe was developed by the distiller of the company, Bill White. The aroma combines the smells of orange, marzipan and nutmeg. The taste is balanced and velvety with pronounced notes of peach and walnut. Wine and wood shades are traced in a long aftertaste.
The company produces whiskey aged 12 and 18 years and even 25 years. The oldest variety was distilled back in 1992. So that the buyer can try and appreciate the taste and aroma of several types of products at once, the manufacturer produces sets of three miniatures.
