Lochside 1981 "Private Collection" G&M, 700ml
The ‘Private Collection’ features a truly exceptional and unique range of greatly aged single malts from a mixture of celebrated, little-known, and now closed distilleries across Scotland.
Lochside 1981 was matured in a Refilled Sherry Hogshead and bottled from cask #802 at 49.2% ABV in 2021.
Only 141 hand-blown crystal decanters have been produced.
Lochside was a brewery from 1786 until its closure in 1957. It incorporated a white tower – a classic German brauhaus design – that was reinterpreted by Charles Doig in 1899. The site was then bought by Joseph Hobbs (who owned Ben Nevis distillery) and he set about installing a Coffey still, swiftly followed by four pot stills in 1961.
His son, Joe Junior, retained ownership until 1973 when Spanish distiller Destilerias y Crianzas [DyC] bought it as a source for the some of the malt it used in its top-selling DYC blend. The Coffey still was decommissioned and the distillery ran until the early 1990s when DYC [by then part of Sherry and wine firm Pedro Domecq] was itself taken over by Allied Distillers.
Lochside was considered surplus to requirements by its new parent, it was closed and sold to developers before being demolished in 2005.
Nose: Rich Sherry aromas complement fragrant mandarin peel. Salted almonds come to the fore with raspberry compote and faint malted biscuit.
Taste: Roasted coffee beans lead to walnuts and stewed raisins. Blackcurrant jam accompanies Seville orange peel and red apple.
Finish: A long finish with lingering hazelnuts and cocoa powder.