Loch Lomond 2010 Càrn Mòr 8-Year

46% ABV - Highlands, Scotland

Nose: It opens with sweet malt, light fruit, Highland peat, and hints of particular fruit… like an unripe white nectarine.

Taste: Great mouthfeel—full body. Initially the peat is quite dominant with some smoked wood or bark, vanilla, bordering on tropical fruits—pineapple… and a ripe orchard.

Finish: There is a quick transition to the finish, where mostly campfire smoke, menthol, and non-descript fruits meld for a minute or so. Bits of sea salt and… a tang.

I have had a love–hate relationship with this whisky. When I first tried it, from a bottle owned by a friend, I thought it amazing—a hidden gem. The retail price on this Càrn Mòr Strictly Limited 8-Year bottle was around $125 CAD out-the-door… my instinct was to stock up.

I bought one. I hated it after opening it.

However! I have started to open up to it more… or is Loch Lomond opening up to me? Regardless, this makes for an excellent "exploratory purchase" and a great addition to the range of flavour on my shelving.
I admittedly do not know that much about Loch Lomond whiskies. The only other Loch Lomond in my collection is a 25-Year Single Grain. Until about a month ago, I thought that the distillery only produced Single Malt. But that is a review for another time.

Loch Lomond is described, by their own website, as a heavily peated malt. That did surprise me a bit… my usual peat-bombs are Laphroaig and Ardbeg. So what I have here in the glass is definitely more towards Highland Park than it is, say, the Ledaig style of peat and smoke (which I consider to be a heavily peated, non-Islay whisky).

Details: Peated. Bottled 2018. Matured in Hogshead Casks. 800 Bottles from 2 Casks.

Notes: There is a great review by u/MDob posted here.

Tasted 14 December 2021. (Posted 10 November 2022.)

85/100
Detailed Rating Information...

90+: Fantastic whisky; highly recommended.
My favourite whiskies – I might have more than one bottle if the price is right and the supply is limited! The higher values in this range will reflect a stronger balance and consistency between components.
85-89: Great whisky; recommended.
Whiskies that tick the flavour boxes and you'll likely hear about these from me. An easy decision to order at a bar/restaurant and one to consider buying a bottle of.
80-84: Very good whisky; recommended, but still consider trying before you buy.
Most of these whiskies I was really happy to have the opportunity to taste, but, apart from a dram here and there, I don’t think I would buy a bottle.
75-79: Good whisky; consider trying before you buy.
These are whiskies that I did enjoy drinking, but likely would reach for another bottle or select something different to order.
65-74: Average; consider trying before you buy, but not recommended.
There is nothing that stood out about this whisky and I might be inclined to mix it with soda or in a cocktail, instead of trying to enjoy its own flavours.
50-64: Bad; not recommended.
I didn’t like this and would sooner pass on another opportunity and order a beer instead than have it again… but never say never.