Lochside 45 Year Old 1967 Malts of Scotland

I am not that experienced with Lochside, although a few samples are waiting in my cabinet. But when this 45 Year Old from Malts of Scotland came along, I could not wait to try it immediately. Be advised that this is a malt, so no grain involved here. I always get a little excited when I get to taste a whisky that was distilled before I was conceived. Only 115 bottles of this stuff from 1967 are available. Here we go!

The nose is very complex. Very fruity, almost tropical. Think juniper berries, pear and mango on syrup, livened up with some mint. It also hints at metal polish, as if it were poured from a can. And to my pleasure, I also get a hint of smoke. Great stuff!

It attacks spicy (ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper) and is sweet from the start. The oak does put its foot down, but allows the fruit to speak as well. All of the fruits from the nose return, joined by some agrums (all sorts of citrus juices, primarily grapefruit in this case). The balance is outstanding.

Only in the (rather short) finish, does the oak take over. But what did you expect after 45 years?

This is a perfectly balanced, fruity whisky, in which the oak does as the oak should (not control, but support). Wonderful. You will need to cough up 345 EUR though. The spring release by Malts of Scotland also contains, from the Highlands, a Glengoyne 1998 on sherry cask.

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