The history of Loch Lomond dates back to the 19th century, with the first traces of a distillery near the lake dating back to 1814. However, it was in 1965 that the modern distillery was established in Alexandria, under the leadership of American entrepreneur Duncan Thomas. After a period of silence in the 1980s, Loch Lomond was reborn in 1987 and has continued to grow ever since, becoming a key player in the industry thanks to its innovative approach and respect for Scottish traditions.
Today, Loch Lomond is proud to carry on a heritage dating back two centuries, while pushing the boundaries of distillation. The distillery is also linked to the history of Littlemill, Scotland's oldest legal distillery (1772), part of whose heritage it took over after its closure.
Unique expertise: revolutionary stills and a diversity of styles
Loch Lomond stands out for its unique approach to distillation, which allows it to produce an exceptionally varied range of whiskies, from light and fruity single malts to richly peated expressions.
Innovative stills for unique profiles
Unlike most Scottish distilleries, Loch Lomond uses three types of stills:
- Straight Neck Stills: A rarity in Scotland, these stills produce lighter, fruitier, and more complex spirits, with notes of white fruit, honey, and vanilla.
- Swan Neck Stills: More traditional, these stills produce more classic whiskies with a touch of sweetness and roundness.
- Coffey stills (or columns): Used for the production of single grain whisky, they create smoother, more accessible spirits, often used in blends or innovative expressions such as Loch Lomond Single Grain.
This diversity of equipment allows Loch Lomond to offer whiskies with varied profiles, ranging from unpeated expressions to lightly or heavily peated malts, as well as single grains aged in bourbon or sherry casks.
Controlled fermentation and maturation
The distillery uses specific yeasts, including Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc strains, to enhance the fruity aromas of its whiskies. The carefully selected casks come from the best coopers, and some are even made on site in Loch Lomond's own cooperage—a rarity in Scotland.
The whiskies are aged under optimal conditions, with particular attention paid to the balance between fruitiness, smoothness, and complexity. Among the flagship expressions are:
- Loch Lomond Original: A fruity and balanced single malt, aged in bourbon casks, offering notes of apple, pear, and honey.
- Loch Lomond 12 Year Old: A smooth and complex whiskey, aged in bourbon and sherry casks, with aromas of vanilla, caramel, and dried fruit.
- Loch Lomond 18 Year Old: A rich and elegant expression, critically acclaimed for its balance of fruitiness and sweet spices.
- Inchmoan: A peaty and powerful single malt, aged in bourbon barrels, offering notes of smoke, tar, and tropical fruits.
- Loch Lomond Single Grain: A smooth and creamy whiskey, distilled in Coffey stills and aged in bourbon barrels, for a unique and accessible experience.
A commitment to innovation and quality
Loch Lomond doesn't just follow tradition: the distillery pushes the boundaries of whisky production, experimenting with new aging methods, bold blends, and collaborations with master coopers. In 2023, it was recognized as the world's most awarded distillery, with accolades in prestigious competitions such as the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the Scotch Whisky Masters.
Loch Lomond has won numerous awards, confirming its place among the best Scottish distilleries:
- Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2024
- World's Most Awarded Distillery in 2023, with gold medals and "Best in Class" titles for several of its expressions
