Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 18 Year 750ML

Loch Lomond Inchmurrin 18 Year 750ML is an 18-year-old Highland single malt Scotch whisky bottled at 46% ABV and non-chill filtered. This expression earned a Double Gold medal at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, along with the title of Best Independent Merchant Single Malt Scotch — a strong endorsement for a whisky distilled on equipment found nowhere else in Scotland.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46%  |  Origin: Highlands, Scotland  |  18 Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: Loch Lomond

Production & Heritage

Loch Lomond Distillery sits on the southern edge of the Scottish Highlands, at the base of the loch that shares its name. The Inchmurrin range — named after the largest island on Loch Lomond — is distilled exclusively using the distillery's rare Lomond stills: straight cylindrical copper pot stills fitted with internal spirit trays that allow distillers to precisely control reflux and push the spirit to an unusually high 85% ABV at new make. This creates a notably lighter, more ester-rich spirit compared to traditional pot still single malts. Extended fermentation of at least 92 hours — nearly double the industry standard of 48 to 60 hours — further amplifies the fruity character before the spirit enters oak casks for its full 18 years of maturation. The whisky is bottled non-chill filtered from 100% malted barley, preserving the full body developed over nearly two decades in wood.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich and layered, opening with heather honey and damp tweed before moving into malty sweetness and a subtle earthiness. Well-crafted oak notes sit underneath, lending depth without dominating the nose.

Taste: Full-bodied on entry with immediate tropical fruit — pineapple, mango, and kiwi — that gives way to a pronounced but balanced oak character at mid-palate. Soft gingery spice emerges as the flavors develop, threading through the fruit and wood with precision. The non-chill filtered bottling delivers a noticeably richer texture than many Highland malts at similar age.

Finish: Long and warming, with elegant oak and stem ginger lingering well past each sip. A gentle sweetness returns at the very end, keeping the finish inviting rather than dry.

How to Drink Inchmurrin 18

At 46% ABV and non-chill filtered, this whisky rewards neat sipping in a Glencairn glass — a few drops of water open the tropical fruit further without collapsing the structure. It also stands up well on a single large ice cube for a slower, cooler experience.

Rob Roy: The 18-year oak backbone and ginger spice hold their own against sweet vermouth, creating a more complex riff on this classic. Blood and Sand: The mango and pineapple notes harmonize naturally with the cocktail's orange juice and cherry liqueur components. Penicillin: Inchmurrin's honey sweetness and fruit-forward profile provide a lighter, more nuanced base than typical smoky single malts used in this modern classic.

Best For

• Gifting a single malt enthusiast who values unusual production methods
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or dark chocolate
• Expanding a Highland whisky collection beyond the usual suspects
• Celebrating a milestone with a well-aged, award-winning Scotch

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Inchmurrin 18 taste like? Inchmurrin 18 delivers a full-bodied palate of tropical fruit — pineapple, mango, and kiwi — balanced by strong oak character and warming stem ginger spice. The finish is long and elegant with lingering oak and a gentle sweetness.

How does Inchmurrin 18 compare to Glenmorangie 18? Both distilleries use tall, straight-necked stills that produce a lighter, more delicate new make spirit, resulting in a similar fruit-forward Highland style. Inchmurrin 18 is bottled at a higher 46% ABV and non-chill filtered, which generally gives it a fuller mouthfeel and more intense flavor delivery than Glenmorangie 18's 43% ABV.

Is Inchmurrin 18 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the non-chill filtered bottling at 46% ABV preserves a rich texture and full flavor spectrum that rewards slow, neat sipping. A few drops of water can further open up the tropical fruit and honey notes.

Where is Inchmurrin 18 made? Inchmurrin 18 is produced at Loch Lomond Distillery, located on the southern shore of Loch Lomond in the Scottish Highlands. The distillery is one of very few in Scotland equipped with rare Lomond stills, which feature internal spirit trays for precise flavor control.

What foods pair well with Inchmurrin 18? Grilled pineapple or tropical fruit tarts echo the whisky's natural fruit character. Honey-glazed roasted duck complements the heather honey notes. Aged Comté or Gruyère cheese mirrors the oak complexity. Dark chocolate with candied ginger plays off the warming finish. Smoked salmon works with the malty, slightly earthy undertones.

What sizes does Inchmurrin 18 come in? Inchmurrin 18 is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Inchmurrin 18 worth the price? Inchmurrin 18 positions as a mid-premium 18-year-old single malt, typically sitting below the price of comparable aged expressions from more heavily marketed Highland distilleries. Its Double Gold medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and unique Lomond still production make it strong value for an 18-year-old Highland single malt.

Why Inchmurrin 18?

No other single malt Scotch at this age statement is distilled using Lomond stills — the combination of internal spirit trays, extremely high new-make ABV, and extended 92-hour fermentation creates a flavor profile that genuinely stands apart from conventional Highland whisky. The Double Gold at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition confirmed what the production method suggests: this is a distinctive, high-quality single malt that competes above its weight class. At 46% ABV and non-chill filtered, the bottling captures 18 years of oak maturation without compromise. For drinkers looking beyond the well-trodden names in aged Highland Scotch, Inchmurrin 18 delivers character that most distilleries simply cannot replicate.