Loch Lomond 21 Year Old 1996 Cadenhead

What do you know? I just tried a Loch Lomond that was distilled in 1974 and bottled after 23 years in 1997. Now I will try a Loch Lomond distilled in 1996 and bottled after 23 years in 2018. Speaking of continuity, yet I do believe it will be very different as a lot has changed in the intervening years at this distillery. That’s why I was happy to try them head-to-head.

I was expecting another quasi tropical nose, but no way, josé. This reminds me of white bread at first, wet cardboard and some old oaken furniture, before even a hint of fruit reveals itself. Think yellow apples, hard pears and overripe grapefruit. Soft pepper. A hint of Highland Peat, so it’s a safe bet that this Loch Lomond is actually an independelty bottled Inchmurrin.

It’s pretty fatty on the palate and now offers the apples first, than the bread. The grapefruit returns to add a bitterness. Yes, this is Inchmurrin alright. It’s a bit musty too, as if I am in the attic. Black tea, green garden herbs and a big sour note from citric acid candy. The taste is a lot better than the rather boring nose suggested.

The finish is long, sweet, smoky and peppery. Quite mild and somewhat drying. Pleasant.

An incognito Inchmurrin without a doubt. Fun, good and interesting, but the nose was a bit of a letdown.