Loch Lomond launches blended malt brand

Scotch producer Loch Lomond has launched Noble Rebel, a new blended malt whisky brand created to ‘push boundaries in the pursuit of flavour creation’.

Each Noble Rebel expression is distilled, matured and blended under the eye of master blender Michael Henry at Loch Lomond Distillery in the Highlands.

Henry commented: “Noble Rebel is an exciting new addition to the growing Loch Lomond Group portfolio. At the heart of each expression is our shared passion for blending finely curated malts into a product of beauty.

“Bringing new ideas to old ways and deeply-rooted traditions, our drams are modern masterpieces that welcome newcomers with open arms, and delight old friends alike.”

The distillery uses a combination of traditional swan-neck stills and its signature high and low-cut straight-neck pot stills.

The straight-neck stills, which are said to be unique to the distillery, provide Henry with greater control over the distillation process, allowing him to ‘manipulate’ the flavour profile of each whisky.

Available in three expressions – Orchard Outburst, Smoke Symphony and Hazelnut Harmony – each no-age-statement blended malt whisky is non-chill filtered, natural in colour and bottled at 46% ABV.

The Orchard Outburst bottling balances crisp, ripe orchard fruits with ‘surprising’ flavours of ‘crashing salty ocean waves’. The whisky, which has been matured in ex-Bourbon casks, also offers hints of zingy lemon and lime.

The malt contains whisky distilled with Chardonnay wine yeast, which helps to intensify fruit and citrus flavours in the finished blend.

Finished in Rioja wine casks, the Smoke Symphony expression weaves notes of peat and smoke with hits of chilli and subtle berry tartness.

Completing the trio of expressions, Hazelnut Harmony mingles nuts with a hint of sweet honeycomb, alongside subtle pear undertones and hints of warm oak.

Finished in toasted American oak casks, the blend brings sweet flavours of honey, vanilla and hazelnut to the whisky.

‘Rebellious nature’

The flavours of Noble Rebel are brought to life through a series of illustrations that detail the stories, layers and tasting notes of each expression.

Each illustration is complemented by Noble Rebel’s embellished bottle, designed to replicate the heavy, intricate base of an old fashioned rocks glass in tribute to the characterful flavours found within.

The embossing of the words ‘noble’ and ‘rebel’ on opposite sides of the bottle lip are placed to demonstrate the ‘two faces’ of the brand.

In addition, it also visually showcases the ‘nobility’ of single malts combined with Noble Rebel’s ‘rebellious nature’ and ethos of pushing the boundaries of creativity in whisky blending.

All three Noble Rebel expressions are sealed with an emblem containing a droplet to represent the distillation process, a barrel to symbolise the maturation process, and a nosing glass in tribute to Loch Lomond Group’s blending prowess.

Each edition of Noble Rebel blended malt whisky is available to buy from the Noble Rebel website for RRP £40 (US$48) per 700ml bottle.

Noble Rebel will also be available from 1 March at The Whisky Exchange.