Overlooking the mirror-like waters of Loch Lomond, we were introduced to a selection of the distillery’s finest whiskies. The crisp air and dramatic mountain scenery heightened the tasting experience, bringing out the perfect balance of smoke, sweetness, and spice. It was a powerful reminder of how much the surroundings can enhance the senses when enjoying a fine dram.
Visit to Loch Lomond Distillery
No visit to the area would be complete without a trip to the Loch Lomond Distillery itself. Here, we enjoyed a fascinating tour of the production process, where we learned about the distillery’s unique distillation methods that make their whisky so special.
Loch Lomond Distillery is renowned for its versatile whisky production, combining traditional methods with innovative techniques. The distillery has an annual capacity of around 5 million liters of single malt whisky and 20 million liters of grain whisky.
Malt and Milling:
The distillery uses 100% Scottish barley, both smoked and un-smoked, which is milled using a classic Porteous Mill from the 1950s. This mill has been in operation at Loch Lomond since 2007 and is known for its reliability and efficiency.
Mashing:
Mashing takes place in a traditional mash tun, which performs four mashes daily, each lasting six hours. Each mash uses about 9.5 tons of grist and produces between 40,000 and 50,000 liters of wort. The distillery has tanks with capacities of 25,000 and 50,000 liters for wort handling.
Fermentation:
The fermentation process typically lasts 92 hours and involves using four different yeast types, depending on the distillation method used. Loch Lomond has 21 washbacks; 10 indoors with a capacity of 25,000 liters and 11 outdoors with 50,000 liters capacity.
Malt Distillation:
The distillery uses two types of pot stills: the unique Straight Neck Pot Still and the traditional Swan Neck Pot Still. By combining these stills with different cut points, as well as using both smoked and un-smoked barley, Loch Lomond can produce up to 9 different styles of single malt whisky.
Grain Distillation:
Loch Lomond is the only distillery in Scotland that produces single grain whisky exclusively from malted barley. The distillation occurs at an alcohol percentage of 85%, which differs from the standard 94%.
This combination of traditional methods and innovative techniques makes Loch Lomond Distillery unique in the Scottish whisky industry.
Exclusive Whisky Tasting at Cameron House
After a day full of adventure and taste experiences, it was time to treat ourselves to an exclusive whisky tasting at Cameron House. This luxurious hotel, located right on the shores of Loch Lomond, offered opulent surroundings and an impressive whisky bar. Here, we enjoyed a carefully selected range of Loch Lomond whiskies while sinking into plush armchairs, allowing the flavors to unfold in peace and quiet. The tastings here were a true study in complexity – from fresh, light grain whiskies to deep and robust single malts.
We tasted:
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Loch Lomond Steam & Fire
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Loch Lomond 12 Year Old
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Loch Lomond 14 Year Old
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Loch Lomond 16 Year Old Cognac Finish
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Loch Lomond 31 Year Old (Yet to be released – their first fully matured peated whisky)
A Journey Filled with Flavor and Adventure
Scotland holds a special magic, and this trip once again confirmed why it is a paradise for whisky lovers. From off-road adventures in a Land Rover to distillery visits and exclusive tastings – everything was tied together by the exceptional whisky from Loch Lomond. If you dream of combining natural experiences with fantastic whisky, this is a region that should top your list.
Slàinte!
Olsen & Ulrik
Thanks to the Danish importer Juuls Engros for the invitation.
