Whisky : Loch Lomond Inchmoan 14 Year SMWS 135.16 “Flavoursome and fabulous”

Country/Region : Scotland/Highland

ABV : 54.1%

Cask : Refill Ex-bourbon Hogshead

Age : 14 Years (Distilled 18 Mar. 2005)

Nose : Musty, moldy, and smoldering.  Rich earthy notes of composted garden soil, old wooden shed, and a briny fishing bucket.  Sweeter hints of earthy pickled beets joined with aquatic notes of algae, pond scum, and charcoal dried kelp.  A sweet wisp smoke from a kerosene lamp hung the background.

Palate : Medium bodied with a wonderfully weird and chimeric flavor profile. On the one hand were notes of pond scum, morning dew, damp decaying vegetation, or a chlorine swimming pool— on the other were overripe fruits, herbs, salted plums, sweet black vinegar, and Chinatown spice shop. Further into the dram notes of tar, fire place smoke, and pine resin emerged.

Finish : Lingering notes of sweet charred wood and autumn leaves.

Score : 7

Mental Image : Dagobah Bonfire

Notes : This packed the punch of a brash young heavily peated dram with the sort of flavor transitions and lingering finish of a mature malt smoothed out with age.  I am absolutely sure some of the flavor notes about sound disgusting, but if you love swampy dirty notes— or charcoal dried kelp sounds like a great snack— then this was right up your ally.  As weird as this was, it was absolutely delicious.  I love the versatility of Loch Lomond, they produce a smorgasbord of different malts and styles.

Overall, while this bottle was not originally on my radar, it really packed a great punch.  I loved it when trying it during a virtual tasting long ago, but then promptly totally forgot about it.  Coming back recently, it still had all the same vitality as before, and this time I won’t misplace the bottle.  This is precious cargo.