Whisky Focus - Loch Lomond Wins 'Most Awarded Distillery' At SFWSC 2023

The Loch Lomond Distillery, situated near the picturesque Loch Lomond in Scotland, has achieved an outstanding accomplishment by being named "The Most Awarded Distillery" at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023. Its remarkable collection of malt whisky brands has garnered numerous Double Gold and Gold Awards.

With a rich heritage spanning over two centuries, the Loch Lomond Distillery has mastered the art of crafting three distinct whisky styles. These include the renowned Loch Lomond Whiskies, which represents their flagship Scotch single malt brand, Spearhead, a single grain whisky, and their latest creation, Noble Rebel, which encompasses a range of blended malt Scotch whiskies.

These exceptional brands have collectively received an impressive total of 21 accolades at the esteemed San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, ultimately securing the highly coveted title of 'Most Awarded Distillery of the Year.'

In recent years, Loch Lomond Distillery has gained significant momentum, fuelled by a renewed focus and increased investment, resulting in remarkable growth across global markets. This latest recognition from the industry solidifies its reputation as one of the most exciting distillers of our time. The judges praised the distillery for its unwavering consistency, exceptional quality, and innovative spirit.

In total, Loch Lomond Distillery proudly earned nine highly sought-after Double Gold Awards, along with seven Gold Awards and five Silver Awards, honouring a selection of their core range and limited-edition products. Notable among the Double Gold winners were the Open Course Collection and the Open Special Edition, two recent releases commemorating the partnership between Loch Lomond Whiskies and The Open Golf Championship. This collaboration aptly celebrates a second five-year deal between the two organizations.

Inspired by its breathtaking surroundings and driven by an enduring spirit of exploration, the distillery embraces a daring and inventive approach to whisky making. Employing remarkable engineering techniques, they skilfully craft whiskies with exceptional flavour profiles in a truly distinctive manner.

While each brand follows its own unique journey and whisky making process, Loch Lomond Whiskies, Spearhead, and Noble Rebel share a common thread of innovation. What sets the Loch Lomond Distillery apart is its exclusive utilisation of both traditional Swan Neck Stills and distinctive Straight Neck stills—an unparalleled distinction in the Scottish whisky landscape. These Straight Neck Stills are a defining feature of the distillery, allowing the Master Blender to influence the flavour during distillation, resulting in a lighter spirit characterized by a distinctive fruit flavour. As one of only four distilleries in Scotland to possess an onsite cooperage, Loch Lomond Distillery exercises complete control over the whisky-making journey, ensuring meticulous barrel repairs and charring are executed to the highest standards.

Colin Matthews, Chief Executive Loch Lomond Group, said: "Loch Lomond Distillery has received significant investment in recent years allowing us to expand our whisky making capabilities and develop new styles in the single grain and blended malt categories.

"It is one of the most innovative in Scotland, using bold techniques to explore flavour creation in an inventive and creative way. We have been distilling whisky this way for generations, but are only just starting the realise the potential of our capabilities.

"To receive over 20 individual awards for our whiskies underlines the work that has been delivered in recent years to define our ranges. It is a huge step forward in our growth plans and something we are incredibly proud of.

"This is the start of an exciting journey for Loch Lomond Distillery and we have a number of exciting releases and initiatives in the pipeline."

Loch Lomond Whiskies, ranked among the top 25 single malt brands worldwide, is experiencing rapid growth due to its exceptional range of classic single malt Scotch whiskies. Renowned for its distinct house style characterised by notes of fruit, honey, and gentle smoke, Loch Lomond Whiskies has earned the distinction of being the Official Spirit of The Open. Moreover, its limited-edition golf-inspired single malts garnered exceptional praise at the esteemed San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023.

Spearhead, on the other hand, is a single grain whisky produced from 100% malted barley. Unlike traditional pot stills, it undergoes distillation in a copper coffey still, and its maturation takes place in infrared toasted barrels, contributing to its unique flavour profile.

The latest addition to the Loch Lomond Distillery family is Noble Rebel, a collection of blended malt Scotch whiskies. This brand challenges conventional norms by combining innovative concepts with deep-rooted whisky-making traditions. Launched in February 2023, it has quickly gained extraordinary popularity in the United Kingdom.

Loch Lomond Distillery's exceptional performance at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023 is evident through the following accolades received:

Double Gold Awards

• Core range - Loch Lomond Whiskies 12 Years Old Inchmurrin
• Core range - Loch Lomond Whiskies 12 Years Old Inchmoan
• Core range - Loch Lomond Classic
• Limited edition - Loch Lomond Whiskies Open Special Edition 2023
• Limited edition - Loch Lomond Whiskies Open Course Edition 2023
• Limited edition – Loch Lomond Whiskies Single Grain Coopers Collection Global
• Travel Retail Exclusive – Loch Lomond Whiskies 8 Years Old Madeira
• Global Travel Retail Exclusive - Loch Lomond Whiskies 18 Years Old Inchmurrin
• Noble Rebel Orchard Outburstr

• Core range – Loch Lomond Whiskies 10 Years Old
• Core range – Loch Lomond Whiskies 12 Years Old Perfectly Balanced
• Core range – Loch Lomond Whiskies 14 Years Old
• Core range – Loch Lomond Whiskies Single Grain (Peated)
• Global Travel Retail Exclusive - Loch Lomond Whiskies 14 Years Old Inchmoan
• Noble Rebel Smoke Symphony
• Spearhead

• Core range – Loch Lomond Whiskies Original
• Core range – Loch Lomond Whiskies 18 Years Old
• Core range – Loch Lomond Whiskies Single Grain (Unpeated)
• Core range – Loch Lomond Whiskies Single Grain Distiller’s Choice
• Noble Rebel Hazel Harmony

You will have to dust off your passport to get hold of Loch Lomond's travel retail exclusive whiskies but you will find their award winning domestic range of whiskies available from specialist online whisky shops as The Whisky Exchange, The Whisky Shop, Master of Malt and Hard To Find Whisky
 

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