Whisky: Lochindaal 12 Year (2007), The Cask Whisperer

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 55.5%

Cask: Bourbon Barrel

Age: 12 Years (Distilled 2007, Bottled 2020)

Nose: Earth, sea, and animals in pasture; citrus oils, lanolin, mothballs, hints of old tobacco and wispy smoke.

Palate: Medium-bodied, citrus and barnyard straw, dried grass, lanolin, camphor, menthol, a touch spirited and peppery.

Finish: Medium-length with citrus, earth, and a touch of peppery spirit.

Score: 6 (78)

Mental Image: A More Utopian Animal Farm

Narrative & Notes: Coastal pasturelands rolled into the horizon as salt, grass, and musty animals came in on the breeze. A touch of citrus oils led toward fine woolen yarns and mothballs with camphor and tweed lingering alongside a hint of old tobacco and grill smoke. Medium-bodied with preserved lemons and a mellow, but musty barn quality— a clean barn though, this was not dirty, it was dusty with hay bales, straw, and freshly washed horse blankets.  The woolen textile, or lanolin, quality of the aroma appeared in the background with familiar camphor, menthol, and lemon. A touch peppery and spirited, especially toward the end. The finish was medium-length with lemon, earth, and a touch of peppery spirit.

It is possible the weight of my expectations for this whisky set me up to be disappointed. This was delightful with hints of musty barn and pasture with plenty of clean coastal brine, citrus, and subtle smoke against wool and medicinal herbs. Yet, it felt a bit simple and less refined than the other Lochindaal that I have reviewed, a touch raw perhaps and less cohesive.

Perhaps it is a question of vintage— this was the first Lochindaal from the 2007 distillation run I have reviewed; all the others have been from the 2009 and 2010 productions. Further investigation is certainly warranted, though tracking down and tasting Lochindaal casks at a reasonable price is not the simplest pursuit in the whisky world.

Overall, good— but unrefined, clearly more of a work in progress than some of the later Lochindaal.

Image Credit: Whisky.com