Lochside 1981 (La Maison du Whisky)

Apart from the Macallan Speymalt 1970/2009, this Lochside is another Gordon & MacPhail release exclusively for La Maison du Whisky. It will be presented at Whisky Live Paris.

Lochside 28yo 1981 (56,1%, G&M for La Maison du Whisky 2009, refill sherry hogshead #803, 205 btl.)

Nose: very aromatic and complex. There’s so much going on that it was difficult to write everything down before another association came up. A rather sharp, mineral start. After two minutes, there is lovely lemon grass. Fruits as well, starting on grapefruit and tangerine but evolving into the tropical fruits (mango, pineapple). Obvious waxy notes as well (rather close in style to Clynelish). A few flowery notes. The sherry is rather shy.

Mouth: very assertive. More oak influence now, fruity marmelade, still some wax. Lemon. Slightly peppery. Dried oranges.

Finish: quite long on grapefruit. Drying with a spicy edge (pepper, liquorice).

A Lochside with a terrific nose that can entertain for a long time. On the palate, it’s less of a kameleon but still very very good. At around € 115, very good value for money.

Score: 90/100

I’ll compare it to the Lochside 1987/2008 by The Whisky Agency (Perfect Dram series) in a few days.