Inchmurrin 15yo

It shouldn't be like this. Aged 15 years. Non-chill filtered. Some immaculately designed bottling and casing. Everything visual suggests this should be, well... nice. But it isn't! At all.... Now I wrote that as I remembered it from a few weeks ago. Here goes with an honest real-time review as I pour the stuff:- The nose is slightly sweeter than I remember but there is also a rubbery edge that gets the back of your throat even when nosing. I don't like it.

Now onto the palate which was initially and surprisingly OK from what I remembered. And then, disappointingly, it wasn't (on the second sip). It had a pleasant initial sweetness but then descends immediately into the harshness that I noted on the nose. I can only describe it as soap. It's harsh and horrible really.

And to the finish which really brings out the soapy flavours. This has put me off Loch Lomond whiskies altogether. They have this alleged 'versatile' style but if this is an example of versatility then give me the 'distinctiveness' of Ardbeg or 'speciality' of Bowmore any day, (or any other distillery for that matter)

I would have liked to go on and try Inchmoan, Croftengea, Inchfad or other varying Loch Lomond malts but no chance after sampling this. Maybe it's just me and my taste; perhaps others will like it - I personally found it horrible. Saved only from a single-digit score by an intially sweet palate which was OK. The rest of it tastes like soap and washing-up liquid. Loch Lomond should simplify themselves!