How does it size up? | Loch Lomond 12 reREVIEW

I'm looking at a single malt scotch whisky from the Loch Lomond distillery in the Highlands today. This is the famous Loch Lomond 12. A lot of people are touting it as an affordable alternative to Springbank. Is it, though? I'll taste it and give you my thoughts. Cheers!
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Scores:
0-75 - Crap
75-79 - For cocktails & people you don't like
80-82 - Not bad
83-85 - Getting good here
86-89 - Delicious
90-94 - Awesome
95-100 - Cowabunga Dudes

[@jcurbin305]

For what I paid for this whisky, when it caught my eye at one of my local liquor stores, I thought I would not find anyone in the KZbin community that would like it like me. I'm glad to hear that I was wrong.😎

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

An excellent and fair review. It's a whisky I generally like keeping around primarily for its quality/price ratio. It's also a whisky which really transforms (I'd say for the better) with air & time; at about the halfway fill of the bottle, and a few weeks in, this bottle really rounds out and becomes noticably "nicer" ✌️

[@Gwhisky]

Interesting. I didn't notice much of an evolution with my last bottle. I'll have to keep a closer eye on this one. Cheers, Chris! 🥃

[@benwashburn8553]

I think with the newer wider bottle we might get more of that effect.@@Gwhisky

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Geoff, I just dropped in for some quick thoughts ... You know, just letting it run while I was doing something else. Then around 6:20 ish or so. I stopped, scrubbed back and then laughed for a while. You are the best my friend, thanks for lightening my day! Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Hah glad to have brought a smile to your face, buddy! Cheers! 🥃🥃🥃

[@Bowman1999]

Timely review, I have been eyeing this one as it looks like a good value and I like Loch Lomond.

[@ironmantran]

Being among the most valued 12y single malts at elevated 46%, I always have a few bottles LL12 around, serving as base, to UPLIFT the abv for all my 40-43 % single malts (for the copita) or percentage of malt content of cheaper blends (for the tumbler)

[@Gwhisky]

I can see that working. It's got the "oomph" factor, to put it technically. 🥃

[@pfalzgraf7527]

Hillarious, great info, very objective and very subjective at the same time - - A dirty, funky review for a dirty, funky whisky. Thanks for the entertainment and the info!

[@Gwhisky]

Hah very kind words, Pfalzgraf. Glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers! 🥃

[@davidowen2834]

Hi Geoff. Bought a bottle around two years ago, someday I’ll open it 😀. Another honest and enjoyable review. Slàinte Geoff.

[@Gwhisky]

Hah a man of great patience, you are. Cheers my friend! 🥃

[@GeoffreyBangers]

I totally agree with you about the Springbank comparison. No way. Totally different animals it's like comparing a golden deer with a big, scripty S that I always thought looked too much like the Signatory logo. And what's THAT all about? Anyway, I have the Loch Lomond 12 and you just convinced me to have a pour of it after work tonight. Now I'd better get into the shower so I won't be late to work. Stop thinking about me in the shower, Geoff. Good review, BTW.

[@Gwhisky]

😂😂😂

[@BadgerJeff]

Your reviews are so darn helpful and honest. I will never buy another malt without checking here first! I can't wait until next year for the reReReview! I predict...hmmmm...84 points

[@cliffnorman178]

Just keep on reminding yourself that he chose Bruichladdich Classic Laddie as his 2022 whisky of the year, before you place too much relevance on his reviews.

[@Gwhisky]

Hah cheers Jeff. Appreciate the kind words, buddy. Yeah the LL12 seems to hit the same pretty much every time for me. I'll try to stay away from it for longer than a year this time. 🥃 Lol as for Cliff's hot take... he's absolutely right. I like a whisky that he doesn't, which renders my opinion irrelevant. 😂

[@BadgerJeff]

@@Gwhisky 🤣 I have a modest whiskey collection of around 100 bottles. Some quite "high end". I find myself most often reaching for WT 101, Old Grandad BiB, and Glenfiddich 12, so don't ask my opinion on what is the best whisk(e)y!

[@sunryse111]

What can I say? It's on my list. I bought my son a bottle after he visited Loch Lomond recently ... but I never got a taste.

[@Gwhisky]

Ah that's a shame. It's a love-it-or-hate-it whisky, I think. Worth trying if the opportunity ever arises again. Cheers, buddy. 🥃

[@EuropaWill]

I'm a fan of the LL line. (LLO, LL12, LL18) I absolutely agree with your assessment that it has tons of character ( more than most) and also that it isn't at all similar to Springbank 10's profile. There's a lot going on in it and it does like time in the glass and a tiny bit of water. My newer label bottling has aromas and taste elements that remind me a bit more of the 18 in my opinion than the older 12 did so it's possible there is more older stuff in the recent bottlings than previously? It appears Michael Henry is improving it over time. It would be great if they didn't color or chill filter any of their core line, including the NAS Original.

[@Gwhisky]

Glad you're a fan! Love the 18 myself. I've heard that the newer bottles and labels are a step up. I'll have to look into that when I come across one. Cheers! 🥃

[@EuropaWill]

@@Gwhisky the label on my recent one looks like the one you reviewed here in this video but my bottle is green. This bottle and label is different than the one I previously bought a few years ago though. So mine and yours is of the newer but not newest? The picture of the most recent bottle/ label that you haven't seen in the wild is still not something I've seen either. Just thought I'd mention that for the sake of clarity. Cheers Geoff!

[@wouterblom7569]

Hi Geoff! It never ceases to amaze me how you are able to recognize the flavour of machine oil ;-) All joking aside, I share your hesitation towards Loch Lomond. I have recently finished two versions of the Loch Lomond 21yo: the OB at 46% and an IB (labelled Secret Highland) at cask strength. Both are only marginally more expensive than the Springbank 10, in my market. I liked them both (obviously the IB was better, albeit only slightly), but I actually prefer the SB. At less than half the age - and that for an age snob like me! Just goes to show how good Springbank really is. Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Hi Wouter. Yeah it's not really a comparable character. Springbank offers much more complexity and balance. Taken as its own thing, I do like having something this characterful at this price point. I haven't had LL21, but I do enjoy the 18 quite a bit. Whether you like the LL house style or not, it's not dull, not boring, and not expensive. Good enough for me! 🥃

[@peathead4450]

Thanks for sharing your opinion on this Loch Lomond, Geoff. Credits indeed to Michael Henry for provinding the additional info (and for creating the stuff of course). In my opinion the Loch Lomond 12yo is a decent whisky that I enjoy every now and then. Not an alternative for Springbank, but a dirty characterful dram on its own. Huge advantages over Springbank: price and availability.. Slàinte mhath

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah the price and availability are the selling points. I tend to agree with you... decent stuff that gets enjoyed now and then, but not a SB alternative. Cheers Frank! 🥃

[@Dan-hn1lx]

I like it and its well priced and the 18 also hits the right spot very dank and musty. I really like the nose its got this sweet and sour thing going on and there's hint of peat in the background. I have purchased a second bottle of this and the 18. I get the machine oil and diesel kinda vibe from the Kilkerran not so much this one but there is something dirty and maybe its the peat. Cheers mate keep sipping!!

[@philc1884]

Dude, I randomly bought it over the wknd. I don't get the chemical thing as much but I do love the layers of complexity for a 12yr. It's got a lot going on and for the $36 (new bottle) it's pretty fregin awesome. Cheers G!

[@Gwhisky]

Glad you're enjoying it, buddy. Even though it's not a love from me, I agree that it's fantastic value! 🥃

[@MARYN0077]

Geoff great review I like it as a cheap sipping option for any party. Sometimes couple drops of Scarabus batch strength from Islay make it much better lol

[@Gwhisky]

Cool idea! 🥃

[@RyanTack1]

Springbank 10 is hands down one of my favs and I’m always on the lookout for good and funky alternatives. I snapped up the Loch Lomond 12 about six months ago and honestly, I’m wondering if I got a bad batch/bottle because I’ve not bought a whisky that bad (IMO) in quite some time. Nail varnish, acetone, immaturity, some mild grain, baby sick, and a hint of fruit. Overall pretty rough. I get along with tons of styles, including really funky/dirty stuff. This didn’t feel like that. It Just felt more akin to JW Red than an integrity and recognizable single malt character. The only malt of many that I’ve considered blending away into cocktails.

[@Gwhisky]

Ooof. Yeah it's got a love-it-or-hate-it character. I haven't had that negative of an experience with it, but I have a (very experienced) friend who describes it similarly. I'd say try the 18 as it's much better, but seems like the house style isn't something you're likely to get along with. Cheers Ryan. 🥃

[@teddyballgame25]

This one checks al the boxes for an enthusiast, except the one about tasting good. It actually helped me not drink one night as I poured a glass and couldn’t get past the smell, dumped it and went to bed lol

[@Gwhisky]

"except the one about tasting good" 😂😂😂

[@FerNightwalker]

Another very good option as basic malt, especially for those like me who like not very usual "dirty" flavors . In general I had good experience with LL, although unfortunately they stopped importing it in my local market, so I should look for a couple more bottles. Cheers Geoff

[@Gwhisky]

Ah that's too bad. Hopefully it's not gone from your market for too long. While it's not a favourite, I agree that it's a good basic malt. Cheers! 🥃

[@jockmcallister]

I’m totally with you on this G, LL is well priced but I’ve never connected with it- as yet. I own several IB bottlings but again they are slow movers on the shelves….

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah cheers John. I've got the 18, which I thoroughly enjoy, but the 12, while decent, is indeed a "slow mover" for me, too. 🥃

[@jezhellewell7690]

Good review Geoff. This is a rare occasion where I’m going to disagree with you though! I absolutely love Loch Lomond 12. Up there with Craigeallachie 13 for me! But this is what I love about whisky, opinions. Keep up the great work.

[@Gwhisky]

High praise! Glad you're a fan, Jez. It's a good one for sure, just not a love from me. Cheers! 🥃

[@MrMBBM]

I made the exact same parallel with Craigellachie 13. I first had the Loch Lomond 12 and then the Craigellachie. Both also excellent value, even now after some price increases.

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Mmm salty balls! I like this one Geoff and you can't disregard that value point! I don't know who compared this to Springbank but I'm with you, I don't think they're related. Benromach is the most Springbank like whisky out there but pre-label change ones were closer rather than the modern ones in my opinion. I recently tried a 20 year old single malt from Czechia called Goldcock and I swear if it was a blind taste I'd have said it was a Springbank, so funky, so much farmyard, brilliant stuff. I got off the topic; awesome re-review Geoff, cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Wait, what? A Czech whisky that's Springbanky? That's... very intriguing. Heading there this summer. 😉

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

@@Gwhisky Boom! There are some pretty good whisky bars there 🥃

[@allanwhittle3041]

Loch 12 Love it !!! One of the very best Bank for buck whiskies out there , never without a bottle 👍

[@jezhellewell7690]

What he said!

[@Gwhisky]

Hah yeah even though it's not my favourite I can't argue with the value. Definitely bang for buck! 🥃

[@thenavajoknow]

Picked it up for €30 (together with an Ardnamurchan AD 10.22.4). Loved the latter, found the former a bit weird and not exactly my flavor profile. But I will give it further chances...

[@pepebruno1672]

Don’t hate me for being a year late. I just opened for the first time a Lochlomond 12. After years of just seating on my shelf. OMG, this is just like Craigellachie, at least the bourbon IB bottles that I have. I need to do a side by side with the 13, I think it will be different. But the 15 Duncan Taylor 2008 I have pure bourbon is just as industrial, actually a bit more. But, very similar in the memory bank profile. I know you love the Craigellachies … Have you ever had any bourbon only IBs?

[@carlmartinlinder]

The newer bottle the better according to my experience. Especially from the new bottle type. Did Michael Henry confirm that they color it? I heard they are going away from adding color. Perhaps not yet? I am surprised you dont like L.L. 12 Geoff. Have your tired Inchmurrin 12 or Inchmoan 12?

[@EuropaWill]

That has been my experience also. I have a bottle of the new label and it is improved over an older bottling from a few years ago.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah I'm waiting for the new label design to show up here. Hoping to see it soon! 🥃

[@xiamengbaby]

​@Gwhisky there's a newer version than what you have there? I must be way behind the times since my bottle is green.

[@tjammejohanneshoekstra1629]

This dram has a great quality to price ratio. I've just opened a WOLFBURN MORVEN. In my opinion it has even a better ratio than the LOCH Lomond 12.I'd love to hear your opinion about that one.

[@Gwhisky]

That's one I've not tried yet. I'll have to keep an eye out for it. Appreciate the suggestion! 🥃

[@redsox367]

I tried this last year after hearing lots of good things about LL, decent but not standout was my view. Have you tried any of the Inchmoan bottlings?

[@Gwhisky]

Yes. I'm enjoying the Inchmoan 10 currently. Apparently it's been discontinued, though.

[@superodfx]

I picked up the 18 at discount; V. Satisfying

[@Gwhisky]

Wonderful stuff! 🥃

[@paulm749]

You keep referring to Loch Lomond as having "lots of character" and "personality" - sort of like when your friends are trying to set you up on a blind date with someone who's kinda homely... 😉 Honestly, I enjoy this whisky for all the positive qualities you mention. I've noticed that it's best when first opened, and then after a few weeks of airing out. The time in between it seems to go a little flat on flavor. It's the only whisky with this characteristic that I've ever encountered.

[@nickolaymiltenov]

Yesterday i bought a bottle of Loch Lomond 9 years old, which is a special single cask release by order of a large Bulgarian alcohol trading company. This is my first contact with that brand. And what to say - this is a remarkably good and enjoyable whisky. One that you will remember. For sure it will leave imprint in your taste and aroma memory. Maybe this is what we call a character in a whisky. I read a lot of negative comments here about the 12 YO version of Loch Lomond which you present, and honestly i am surprised. Though i know that it is not fair to compare these two whiskies because 9YO is cask strenght 56.1%, natural colour, non chill filtered and only 283 bottles made, but putting aside those facts it is hard to believe that Loch Lomond could release products with such a big difference in quality causing a lot of people's complaints. And due to the reason that this whisky is available in Bulgaria only i will tell that in aroma and taste it is very similar to Glen Garioch 12 YO, only a bit bolder and more masculine due to its strenght of course. And very important - it is capable of serious delution whithout losing its taste. Only developing more aroma. And for 67 euros only it is a gift. Cheers.

[@mrnoisy4883]

Pronunciation for Lomond - Low-mond

[@Gwhisky]

The abbreviated "Mister" in your handle should include a period. 😉

[@wouterblom7569]

@@Gwhisky 😂

[@liamclarke8411]

Great whisky for price at £38 for 12 year old at 46% here in england when you think think the new wolfburn 10 is £65

[@peatbull3426]

101% agreed! Didn try W10 and there is no chance to try it at £65. Its a Joke even scandal for this level of pricing for newcomer. I totaly boycott thise kind of things. And i have read review of Wolfsburn 10 at Dramface so it must be pretty averrage getting 80/100 there. 👍😁🥂🙋🏻‍♂️

[@MrMBBM]

If you think a Wolfburn 10 bottle is expensive at £65, how about $107 for a NAS Wolfburn in Oregon? I like trying new distilleries, I think they put their best out there in order to get noticed, but not at these prices.

[@alehhandro1]

Thanks Geoff! I wonder if Loch Lomond suffers from a big batch variation. The bottle that I own is absolute crap. The most dominant aroma and flavor in it is very badly burnt sugar as if Loch Lomond produced the caramel colorant on site and burnt it to a crisp. I’ll give LL another go if I see it in a bar, wouldn’t risk buying another bottle through.

[@Gwhisky]

The batch variation thing is possible. I've heard more modern bottlings are better, but I can't confirm. So far I've only tasted it from two bottles. 🥃

[@gas221272]

Лучший виски за свою цену!

[@brianwelborn4128]

Well it does have machine oil, so it must be good.. 🙂, But yeah I would like to try it.

[@torbjornkarlsen]

I paid the equivalent to 71.40 USD for a litre bottle of this whisky in the duty free. I guess it wasn't a very good price but likely it'll last for years. It remains to see if I like it.

[@dextercool]

I think the peated Loch Lomands are better specifically Inchmoan.

[@sandyschannel6917]

Appreciate an honest review, but I don't get some of what you're getting from it like the whole petroleum thing. I get a little fruit, a bunch of caramel and it's definitely got a little attitude. Not near to the Balvenie I'm growing accustomed to but not a whisky I'll turn my nose up at.

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

Different than Springbank 10 for sure, Loch Lomand 12 is less peated and has no Sherry, but blind in the glass, I'd bet a considerable percentage of drinkers might prefer the Loch Lomond; show them the price and I'd bet that percentage rises ✌️

[@Gwhisky]

I'm sure some people might. Not me, though. 😉🥃

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

@@Gwhisky I think a blind tasting might be in order? 🧐

[@jackthepickledhound]

My first bottle on my journey, yes cheap. Don't know how I continued after the first sip. The dirtiest thing I ever tasted. I still have 150ml from that bottle. I can enjoy it's wild ride alot more now. "Springbank alternative" is the best click bait on the Internet I appreciate the intention of a real option for the top rated unicorn. Buy I don't appreciate paying $125 for a 10 year old, alightly above average 46% single malt whisky. The other offerings from SB may be special and worthy of discussion but the 10, though it should be on everyone's shelf is not all that fantastic. So depending on your budget, everything is a good Springbank alternative. As long as its 46%, NCF, naturally colored from the casks and I like to always propose "not released by Diageo". So yes, as a lightly peated, non specific cask vatting and affordable option, this is a great alternative, except for the possible coloring and the green bottle. Why do they do that?

[@Gwhisky]

I'm a huge fan of the SB10, although $125 is absurd. For me they share a certain "dirty" quality, but that's about all they have in common. Not enough to push it as an alternative. As for the colouring... same reason they all do. To make it look good to the uninformed consumer. Unfortunate, but true. Luckily they've done away with the green-tinted bottles. 🥃

[@robertor.monteiro4274]

Please . Make a vídeo about tamnavulin sherry.

[@Gwhisky]

I've yet to try it. Hopefully someday! 🥃

[@robertor.monteiro4274]

@@Gwhisky Thank you. I think you will be impressed how easy it is to drink. a whiskey for everyday

[@MaltDaddy]

Lol good joke about people comparing this to Springbank. Wait was it a joke?😂

[@osirisgolad]

Looks like there's enough dribble on your shirt to warrant a score of at least 85 points... :o)

[@Gwhisky]

😂😂😂

[@ffll8427]

Geoff ... i told you to stop with the Loch Lomond videos :D!!!

[@kamahhl]

When you say overly sweet, what falls in that category for you?

[@Gwhisky]

Glendronach comes to mind. 🥃

[@alandiaz1041]

Sorry you don’t like it. I find the Loch Lomond to be a simple, fun, tasty scotch. I don’t see the Springbank comparison. Still, for $35 USD, how can you go wrong? Find me another $35 bottle of scotch that tastes this good.

[@Gwhisky]

Well I certainly didn't say I didn't like it. 84 is a decent score. Just not one that excites me as much as it does others. Matter of taste. I definitely agreee it's great for the price! 🥃

[@cascode1192]

Never been a fan of Loch Lomond malts regardless of age. I like a “grubby” whisky but all of their expressions strike me as primarily hard and industrial, and not in a good way. Their bottom of the line NAS malt (Original) is OK, as is their very affordable and pleasant blended scotch (Reserve) but I don’t get the slightest resemblance to Springbank in any Loch Lomond. Ledaig, Benromach and Ben Nevis are deserving of that description, but Loch Lomond? Nah.

[@lightplays2181]

LL 12 very "simple " ..... Next time i dont buy ) Cheers !

[@Gwhisky]

Hah that's fair. Cheers buddy! 🥃

[@TylerBlumkeYugioh]

Drinking it right now. It’s meh. It’s drinkable. It’s hard to find better scotch for the money though.

[@guidodenys3307]

Loch Lomond , Loch Lomond as if there is nothing else . Can we be a bit more adventurous please.

[@Alprazolam_25]

This guy doesn't know how to review

[@Gwhisky]

Agree. Total amateur.