Loch Lomond 18 years old Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%

In Alexandria, right at the southern end of Loch Lomond, the copper stills come in two shapes. Some have the classic swan neck, others rise straight up without the bend you expect. Both end up in the same bottle, and after 18 years in American oak the result is baked apple and a soft drift of wood smoke.

Expert description

Loch Lomond 18 years is a Highland Single Malt Whisky matured in three types of American oak casks and bottled at 46%.

Master blender Michael Henry puts it together. The style rests on blending whisky from straight neck pot stills with whisky from more traditional swan neck stills, aiming for fruit, honey and soft smoke, a character Loch Lomond says you will only find in its own single malt.

All 18 years were spent in American oak of three kinds: bourbon, refill and re-charred. American oak usually brings sweetness and soft vanilla, and you can taste it: toffee and baked apple lead the way.

The bottle has collected medals along the way: gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2021 and at the International Spirits Challenge and The Scotch Whisky Masters in 2020, and The Whisky Exchange named it Whisky of the Year 2024.

Tasting notes

Nose

Green apple and grapefruit first, then honeysuckle and ripe oak.

Palate

Toasted oak and cigar box. Green fruit follows, apple and gooseberry, over a base of toffee.

Finish

Long and dry. Dried tea and tobacco leaf, a light medicinal peat smoke, and mild wood smoke at the very end.

Specifications

Name: Loch Lomond 18 years
Distillery: Loch Lomond
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Highland Single Malt Whisky
Age: 18 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak in three types: bourbon, refill and re-charred
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Distillation method: Pot stills with straight necks and traditional swan neck stills
EAN no.: 5016840239215

Flavour profile

Fruity · Lightly smoky · Honeyed · Oaky · Tobacco

Did you know?

Loch Lomond has a malt distillery, a grain distillery and a cooperage on the same site, so the casks come from the distillery's own workshop. Few Scottish distilleries can say the same.

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Frequently asked questions about Loch Lomond 18 years

What does Loch Lomond 18 years taste like?

It tastes of fruit, toffee and soft smoke. Green apple and gooseberry lead, with toasted oak and cigar box in the background. The finish brings dried tea, tobacco leaf and wood smoke.

Is Loch Lomond 18 years worth it?

Yes, if you like fruity Highland Single Malt Whisky with soft smoke. It has spent 18 years in three types of American oak, is blended by a master blender from two kinds of stills and was named Whisky of the Year 2024 by The Whisky Exchange.

Is Loch Lomond 18 years a smoky whisky?

A little. The smoke is mild and shows up mostly in the finish as light medicinal peat smoke and wood smoke. Fruit and toffee take the lead, so it can suit people who normally steer clear of smoky whisky.

What is the difference between Loch Lomond 12 and 18 years?

The 18 has more wood and maturity: toasted oak, cigar box and dried tea. The 12 is lighter, with pear and citrus from the bourbon cask. Both come from Loch Lomond, but the 18 has more depth.

Should Loch Lomond 18 years be drunk with water or ice?

Try it neat first. A few drops of water can open up the apple and honey, while ice mutes both the smoke and the oak.

Which glass suits Loch Lomond 18 years?

A tulip shaped glass such as a Glencairn gathers the aromas of apple and oak best. Browse our range of whisky glasses.

Why does Loch Lomond use two kinds of stills?

Because the blend creates the style the distillery is known for. Whisky from straight neck stills and from classic swan neck stills is combined, which puts fruit, honey and soft smoke in the glass. To see the distillery from the inside, read our visit to Loch Lomond Whisky Distillery.