Our final stop on our tour of TWE single casks takes us to Loch Lomond for their heavily peated ‘Croftengea’ distillate. This one was matured for 15 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead before being bottled earlier this year at 52.6% ABV. It’ll set you back £74.95 from The Whisky Exchange.
Nose: Ferns and bracken provide a forest-y profile whilst toffee, felt roofing, mint leaves and marker pens add additional breadth. Smoked apple slices and autumn bonfire notes join damp leaves and green wood, whilst liquorice and apple pie add a sweeter quality. Dilution takes us somewhat barnwards with damp hay and cow hides – not quite meaty – more animalistic.
Taste: Notably balanced. Smoked apple pie is sprinkled with powdered cinnamon, whilst chocolate torte sits alongside preserved lemons – offering both tartness and sourness. Smoke is again vegetal – leaves, wet fallen trees and forest fires together with an addition of lime peels. Water softens this one up quickly bringing cinnamon and chilli spice to the fore.
Finish: Very long – consistently vegetal with wet smoke tempered by citrus notes.
A potent, characterful Lomond whisky that’s a little hydrophobic, but that in neat form offers more than enough ompth and possesses a surprising poise on the palate. Those who enjoy their inland peaters (ala Ardmore) will find much to enjoy here likewise. Does the job for me.
Review sample provided by The Whisky Exchange