Lochside 28 years 1981 - 2009 #617

Tasting notes by Serge Valentin: 88/100 (www.whiskyfun.com)

Colour: straw.

Nose: as fresh, clean and fruity as these Lochsides can be, although I wouldn’t say this one is as much a fruitbomb as some other versions. It’s still a tad mashy despite its 28 years of age but the rest is superb, with quite some tangerines, apples, hints of Muscat grapes and quite some vanilla. It might need water to unfold more than that. With water: ah yes, that worked. Litres of lemon and lime juice, grapefruit and something a little metallic that adds an extra-dimension. ‘Aluminium pan’. Quite some menthol too.

Mouth (neat): very punchy and much fruitier than on the nose. Grapefruit juice at cask strength, now typically Lochside. Passion fruits, lemon... With water: more of the same plus a little grass, chlorophyll gum, spearmint…

Finish: long but more on grass and chlorophyll and less on lemon and other citrus fruits.

Comments: an excellent, rather grassy Lochside, not as magnificent as the 1965s or 1966s of course but well worth trying. Old skool malt whisky at its best

Lochside Distillery

Lochside Distillery was located in Montrose, on the east coast of Scotland. Founded in 1957 by Joseph Hobbs, the distillery was located in a former brewery building dating back to 1781. Lochside produced both single malt and grain whisky, a rarity in the whisky world.

A specific feature of Lochside was the production of both types of whisky, allowing them to make their own blends. The distillery traditionally used spring water from the nearby Lochside Well, which contributed to the purity and character of their whiskies. Lochside whiskies were known for their light, tropical-fruity flavour profiles, with notes of apple, pear, vanilla and a subtle spiciness.

The whiskies were mainly matured in ex-bourbon casks, which ensured a balanced and refined flavour. Despite its closure in 1992 and subsequent demolition in 2005, Lochside's remaining bottles remain highly sought after by enthusiasts, collectors and investors due to their rarity and historical value. Lochside remains a fascinating chapter in Scotch whisky history, remembered for the unique and high-quality whiskies it produced.