It's been ages since I dropped a TIRD on this blog, and now the time is right!
What is "Rhosdhu", really? TWE says it means "rose" in Gaelic, but dhu means "dark" or "black". So perhaps it's "black rose". It is also the name given to two types of whiskies produced at Loch Lomond Distillery. Old Rhosdhu was an unpeated malt whisky that was "1.5 times distilled, as it took a spirit cut from the wash still," and was discontinued in 2000. The new Rhosdhu, a grain whisky made from 100% malted barley, was first distilled in 2007.
1980s and '90s standard Loch Lomond can be impressively foul with a Taco Bell dumpster note leading the nose and palate. So why on Earth did I buy a '90s distilled Loch Lomond product? Because I had it as part of a blind tasting and found it fabulous. Some whiskies have IT, the eternally mysterious, inexplicable, undefinable "YES" quality. This Old Rhosdhu had "IT", so I bought it, and then opened the bottle for my birthday in August. Now I shall review the whisky, knowing its name.
Distillery: Loch Lomond
Style: Old Rhosdhu
Owner: Loch Lomond Distillery Company
Region: Highlands (Western)
Bottler: Decadent Drinks
Range: WhiskySponge
Age: 29 years old (1993 - 2022)
Maturation: refill hogshead
Outturn: 328 bottles
Alcohol by Volume: 57.1%
(from the top third of my bottle)
NEAT
Ooooh, the nose starts with moss and mango, with oats and blossoms in the background. Donut glaze and apple cider appear after 30 minutes, followed by barley(!) and yuzu juice. The warm, dusty palate leads with dunnage, honey, and lime zest. Honeydew and oranges fill the midground, while hints of pastry and industrial funk whisper in the back. It finishes tartly, think limes and oranges. More honey and barley than ol' tannins.
DILUTED to ~46%abv, or 1½ tsp of water per 30mL whisky
The nose shifts a bit towards the apples and oats, with jasmine buds and bananas in the foreground as well. Things get quirkier once the cologne, rye bread, and old oak notes develop. The palate is sweet, yet slightly astringent. More oak. and maybe some sandalwood, too. Pears, caramel, rye bread crust, and pencil shavings arise once the whisky has been aired out for another 20 minutes. It finishes tart and tannic, with minor notes of metal and Werther's candies.
WORDS WORDS WORDS
"IT" seems to have abandoned my bottle, though I still like the whisky. Angus & Co. proofed the cask down to 57.1%abv — which explains the high bottle count — and I do think it's more vibrant at that strength than at 46%. At 57.1% it feels closer to the grain. At 46% the wood starts to take over. The neat nose is utterly lovely, while the palate has just a hint of Loch Lomond weirdness, which works well here. Overall it's more of a thinker than a drinker, which makes one wonder if it'll take on other characteristics towards the bottom of the bottle. I'll report back if it does...
Availability - A few bottles may still exist in Europe
Pricing - it maybe be north of £300 now, though I got it on sale for £220
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