I was reading an interesting article on Loch Lomond on LinkedIn of all places this week.

The story was basically involving the consistent profitability of Loch Lomond Group since it was bought over by a Private Equity company – Exponent in 2014 and then Hillhouse Capital in 2019. Under previous family ownership the Loch Lomond distillery was focused on producing spirit for its own blends and white spirit for other whisky companies. This low margin but sustainable business model kept the company in business but not ultra wealthy. It’s arguably a better thing to have a sustainable business than a boom and bust one but LinkedIn doesn’t give you engagement on sensible advice.

Anyway, the story goes with “visionary” leadership and capital investment from PE businesses a premiumisation of the single malt brands in the Loch Lomond Group has led to record profits. The PE deals were done with the existing senior management team in place so I reckon CEO Colin Matthews and his team have a lot to do with the success as well.

I have had a love hate relationship with the produce from the Loch Lomond Single malts. Loch Lomond Steam & Fire was excellent but most of the TweetTasting samples I tried a few years back were all chemically, petrol like hot messes.

The Whisky

What I do like about Loch Lomond though is its innovation and versatility inherit in its equipment. So, the Inchmoan is a smoky version of Loch Lomond which is differentiated from the other peated Loch Lomond known as Inchmurrin by the use of two different type of stills – traditional swan neck and then straight neck stills to produce a fruity and peaty spirit.

The 12 year old is a mix of recharred ex-bourbon barrels and re-fill ex-bourbon barrels, bottled at 46% ABV and non-chill filtered. Bottles are available for between £30 and £40 making this a very affordable yet interesting bottle to buy.

Tasting Notes

Colour	yellow
Nose	chemical fire lighters, charcoal, touch of vanilla and custard
Palate	more custard, digestive biscuits and sweet apple
Finish	straight shooting short charred wood and peat smoke

Where Can I Buy?

Master of Malt looks to be about the cheapest

Master of Malt – Inchmoan 12 Year Old

Final Thoughts

It’s not bad whisky, in fact anyone who likes a spirit lead and clean drinking peated whisky is going to like this as an alternative to a mainland peated single malt or an Islay. Very good value as well.