Loch Lomond 12 Year Old Review: A Single Malt That’s Both Affordable and Flavorful

On the western border of the southern Scottish Highlands, Loch Lomond produces its whiskies using a unique combination of stills. Not only are there traditional straight-neck and swan-neck stills, but also a Coffey still and a couple of column stills.

This setup enables the production of a wide variety of whiskies, as spirit from the different stills can be combined. This is the case, for example, with the Loch Lomond 12 Year Old single malt whisky.

This whisky combines spirit from both the traditional straight-neck and swan-neck stills. These distillates are married and then aged in American oak barrels for 12 years.

Michael Henry, the master distiller at Loch Lomond, opted for three different types of barrels: ex-bourbon barrels, refill barrels, and re-charred barrels that have been reworked in the distillery’s own cooperage.

Ultimately, the single malt whisky is bottled at 46% ABV and priced at under 40 pounds. What you can expect for this price is discussed later in this review.

As with all Loch Lomond expressions, the distillery has chosen a distinctive colour for the Loch Lomond 12 Year Old. Both the label and the box are entirely red, making the whisky stand out easily among others on a liquor store shelf.

The bottle itself is the standard shape used by the distillery across its range, with elegant round lines and a stylish cork closure. A lovely detail is the distillery’s logo, embossed directly into the glass.

With such eye-catching packaging, it’s likely you’ll find yourself reaching for this bottle more than once. But of course, the real question is: how does it taste?

As soon as you pour the Loch Lomond 12 Year Old, you’ll notice it needs a little time to breathe. Straight away, the dram gives off a strong alcoholic scent that might put some drinkers off at first.

However, once you let it sit in the glass and open up, it reveals a far more inviting bouquet. Fruity aromas of fresh apple and other orchard fruits emerge, along with vanilla, a hint of white pepper, and spicy notes reminiscent of a hot cup of black tea.

The whisky’s texture is surprisingly creamy. While it doesn’t offer a complexity that invites hours of contemplation, there is still plenty to discover.

The Loch Lomond 12 Year Old opens with sweet, fruity notes of peach, soft pears, and golden apples, complemented by a subtle touch of orange peel. This leads into spicier and maltier flavours, as the creamy mouthfeel transitions to a dry finish.

There’s only the faintest whisper of smokiness, making it an approachable dram for those who prefer minimal smoke. The soft smoke reveals itself mainly in the medium-to-long finish.

The 12-year-old Loch Lomond is a very approachable dram, both in terms of price and flavour. Those who decide to pick up a bottle should have a bit of patience before pouring a glass, as this whisky really needs some time to open up.

That patience is rewarded with a nicely balanced profile of fruit and gentle spice. It’s an excellent whisky to enjoy during the week with friends or while relaxing on the couch with a movie.

+ Atractively priced

+ Well balanced single malt

+ Accessible for beginners

- Needs a bit of time to breathe