Loch Lomond 10 Year Old

I was recently gifted this vivid orange bottle of Loch Lomond 10-year-old. I went to do a little research online and was surprised, and a little confused, to find that it is not available in any of the usual specialist whisky retailers (in the UK at least). It is, however, available through all the major supermarkets (Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsburys, etc). I think this is the first time I’ve ever come across, what I would consider to be, a core range product that is only available through high street retailers. I am intrigued! And is it any good?

Bottle

The Loch Lomond bottles all have this solid, sturdy, if not short, bottle design and I have to say I’m quite a fan. The embossed stag’s head on the shoulder is both modern and beautiful. The label pleasantly mixes a contemporary design and timeless gold lettering and logo. The colour of the label itself is certainly eye-catching and provides easy distinction in what is a pretty full line up from Loch Lomond (as we will see over the coming weeks).

Colour

The dram itself is a burnished colour, not quite the orange of the label (thankfully). I can’t see any mention of this being naturally coloured so I presume it has some caramel colour added to enhance it.

Nose - Fresh orchard fruits dominate, with crisp green apples, ripe pears, and a hint of citrus zest. Subtle floral notes and a whisper of vanilla add complexity.

Palate - A wonderfully balanced profile with layers of creamy toffee, sweet malt, and a touch of spice. Hints of oak and a light cereal note provide some depth.

Finish - Smooth and medium in length, leaving lingering notes of honeyed sweetness and gentle spice, with a touch of toasted oak rounding it off beautifully.

Overall

I’m quite taken with this whisky. It is a commendable entry-level whisky though the £40 price tag is a little steep. However, put that in the context that the supermarkets will frequently reduce the price for periodic sales, I’ve regularly seen this available for about £28, and it is much more reasonable. But the best thing about this whisky is that it opens the door brilliantly for new whisky drinkers to the Loch Lomond distillery.

Over the next few weeks, I’m planning on going on a bit of a foray into Loch Lomond whiskies to see the apparent breadth of what they offer. Join me to see if this great first step is followed up with some even better ones!