
August 19, 2016

Little duets, Inchmurrin versus Croftengea

When we tried some Loch Lomond the other day, I wrote that I would soon taste some Inchmurrin too, and today is the day. But rather than an OB, we’ll have some indie by Signatory, just for fun. I find it great that they would bottle this pretty unknown name! And then, another surprise made at Loch Lomond… Croftengea. Because you may remember that they make different styles of malts, grains and blends at Loch Lomond Distillery, with names such as Inchfad, Rhosdhu, Craiglodge, Inchmoan, or indeed Inchmurrin and Croftengea. You’ll easily find their characteristics on the Web.

Inchmurrin 18 yo 1996/2015 (43%, Signatory Vintage, refill butt, cask #30, 658 bottles)

We tried some sister whisky last year (cask #24+25) and found it good (WF 79). Always been fond of this series, as Cosmo Kramer would have said, “no fuss, Scotch!” Colour: white wine (very refill!) Nose: porridge and bread, yeast and beer, that’s the spirit. Also caraway and gingerbread, I’d say. In a way, we’re close to many a new craft malt whisky, except that those would be 18 months old, not 18 years. Mouth: so very unusual! Bread again, Alsatian anis bredala, wholegrain bread, ale, hops, pine nuts, porridge, lager beer… What’s totally great is that while I think we could find some in other Inchmurrins or other whiskies by Loch Lomond, there are almost no feinty notes, and not even one hint of baby vomit. Finish: rather short, but very bready. Ashy aftertaste. Comments: love love love, I’m glad this bottling exists, even if it’s no Brora 1972. SGP:352 - 80 points.

Croftengea 10 yo (56.6%, Single Cask Nation, refill bourbon hogshead, cask #486, 133 bottles)

Wrong picture but the layout should be the same. It’s not often that you come across some of this peated Loch Lomond, I only remember bottles by The Whisky Fair in Germany, around ten years ago. Guess I’ve still got some in the bunker. Oh and the former owners had one too, a 1996/2005 that has been to my liking (WF 80). Colour: pale white wine. Nose: totally unusual. Bakelite, tarry ropes, bicycle shed, leatherette, new tyres, a large discotheque ashtray around 4am (when we could still smoke in nightclubs), engine oil… And a brand new Chevrolet, circa 1980! With water: charcoal and carbon paper. Who remembers carbon paper? Mouth (neat): really funny. Some kind of smoked lemonade, perhaps, smoked salmon, salt, ink… and really a lot of smoke. It’s mega-smoky! With water: gets almost civilised, gentler, certainly cleaner, with notes of lemon, kippers, and smoked tea. Less ashy. Finish: rather long, saltier, more lemony. Comments: a great surprise, I had thought it would be a little wobbly and uncertain, but I think it’s actually very well made. And probably very well selected, it beats quite a few peaters from Scotland’s mainland. And some from the islands too. SGP:447 - 86 points.

Check the index of all Loch Lomond I've tasted so far