Loch Lomond 19 Years Old Royal Portrush (50.3%, OB, 2019)

• ABV: 50.3%
• Age: 19 Years Old
• Bottling: OB, The Open Course Collection
• Category: Highland single malt Scotch Whisky
• Cost: £160
• Origin: Loch Lomond Distillery
• Vintage: Undeclared

What they say

LOCH LOMOND WHISKIES, THE OFFICIAL SPIRIT OF THE OPEN, HAS AGREED A HIGH-PROFILE PARTNERSHIP WITH 2011 OPEN CHAMPION, DARREN CLARKE, TO PROMOTE THE BRAND’S RANGE OF AWARD-WINNING SINGLE MALTS ACROSS THE WORLD.

DARREN CLARKE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH LOCH LOMOND WHISKIES MASTER BLENDER MICHAEL HENRY TO CREATE THE OPEN COURSE COLLECTION ROYAL PORTRUSH, A 19-YEAR-OLD SINGLE MALT. MICHAEL’S CHOICE OF CASKS REFLECTS THE UNDERLYING FRUIT CHARACTER CREATED BY THE INNOVATIVE STILLS AT THE LOCH LOMOND DISTILLERY. BOTTLED IN THE TRADITIONAL ARTISANAL MANNER: NON CHILL FILTERED AND BOTTLED AT 50.3% ABV RESULTING IN A RICHER MOUTH FEEL AND A DEEPER AND MORE COMPLEX FLAVOUR, JUST AS NATURE INTENDED.

Official tasting notes:

• Matured in American Oak casks from its own onsite cooperage ensures that the fruit character
  has been maintained through the maturation with the addition of honey sweetness and
  other tropical fruits coming to the fore.

What I say

Following on from The Open edition we have this 19 year old Claret wine finished special edition bottled as part of The Open Course Collection and carrying the name of Royal Portrush (host of the 148th Open Golf Championship in 2019).

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Dark rubrous gold (13/20), quick, large tears and long, fine legs.
• Nose: Fresh raspberry, strawberry, fragrant oak and vanilla, honey, malted barley, soft brown sugar, heady, candyfloss perhaps a touch of spirity or tannic spice?
• Taste: Red fruits & berries, a touch more acidic cranberry, elderberry, earthy and citric/tart, some citrus, malted barley, jamaican ginger cake, apple & blackcurrant, bramble jam, pineapple.
• Finish: Long, blackcurrant, earthy chocolate and coffee both sweet and dark not bitter.

Overall

A superb expression bursting with black and red fruits, matured to perfection. As a fan of both red wine and whisky it is always a pleasure when they come together well like this edition.

Score 89/100

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