The Loch Lomond Distillery has secured the title of “most awarded distillery” at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, collecting multiple Double Gold and Gold Awards for its malt whisky brands.
Located near Scotland’s Loch Lomond, the distillery has a history that spans over 200 years. It produces three distinct whisky styles: Loch Lomond Whiskies, a Scotch single malt; Spearhead, a single grain whisky; and its recent product, Noble Rebel, a blended malt Scotch whisky.
At the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, these brands collectively received 21 awards, resulting in the distillery being named ‘Most Awarded Distillery of the Year’.
Over the past few years, Loch Lomond Distillery has seen an increase in market presence due to focused efforts and investment.
The distillery’s achievements at the competition have underscored its standing as a consistent and quality whisky producer. It earned a total of nine Double Gold Awards, seven Gold Awards, and five Silver Awards for various core range and limited-edition products. The Double Gold winners included the Open Course Collection and the Open Special Edition, two releases marking the partnership between Loch Lomond Whiskies and The Open Golf Championship.
Loch Lomond Distillery adopts a unique approach to whisky making and uses different engineering methods to create distinct flavor profiles.
All three brands—Loch Lomond Whiskies, Spearhead, and Noble Rebel—maintain their unique processes. Notably, the Loch Lomond Distillery uses both traditional Swan Neck Stills and unique Straight Neck stills in its whisky-making process. This use of Straight Neck Stills allows the Master Blender to alter the flavor during distillation, resulting in a lighter spirit with a distinct fruit flavor. The distillery is also one of only four in Scotland to have an onsite cooperage, allowing complete oversight over barrel repairs and charring.
Colin Matthews, Chief Executive of the Loch Lomond Group, stated that the distillery’s recent investment has facilitated the expansion of their whisky making capabilities and the development of new styles. The more than 20 individual awards received by their whiskies highlight the work done to define their ranges, a noteworthy development in their strategic plans.
Loch Lomond Whiskies, one of the top 25 fastest-growing single malt brands, is a Scotch whisky known for its unique blend of fruit, honey, and soft smoke notes. It has created several limited-edition golf-inspired single malts that were recognized at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Spearhead, a single grain whisky, is distilled from 100% malted barley in a copper Coffey still, and then finished in infrared toasted barrels.
The distillery’s latest offering, Noble Rebel, a blended malt Scotch whisky collection, was launched in February 2023 and has achieved noticeable market presence in the UK.
The awards received by Loch Lomond Distillery at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023 span its various brands and products, demonstrating its ability to deliver consistent and quality offerings.