Introduction

I picked up a bottle of Loch Lomond Remarkable Alchemy out of sheer curiosity. The name itself made it sound like something distinct, and I’ve had good experiences with Loch Lomond blends in the past—especially when they draw from multiple distillation styles. I wasn’t expecting anything too left-field, but I was intrigued by what kind of balance they could strike, especially given that this was a collaborative project. It turns out, there’s a lot going on in this bottle—but not in a way that overwhelms.

Nose

Right from the pour, it had a noticeable richness. The nose opens with toasted oak and a slow wave of dark dried fruits—figs, raisins, and a hint of prune. There's a soft background of vanilla and clove, but it's the interplay of baked fruit and subtle earthy smoke that stood out to me. After a few minutes in the glass, there’s a malty sweetness that emerges, along with a touch of tobacco. Nothing overly sharp or punchy—it’s well-integrated and confident in its complexity.

Palate

The first sip was heavier than I expected—in a good way. It has a full body, and straight away I got a dense mix of dark chocolate, burnt sugar, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The fruit from the nose carries through here, bringing in more cooked apple and berry compote. There’s a touch of peat smoke, but it stays tucked behind the sweetness, lending depth rather than driving the flavour. A touch of toasted walnut adds some dryness near the end of the sip. It feels well-layered without becoming confusing. Water didn’t drastically change it, but did coax out a little more sweetness and draw back the spice slightly.

Finish

The finish is medium-long, and for me it was one of the most nicely balanced parts of the dram. The smoke lingers in a soft, earthy way rather than a heavy drift, mingling with echoes of caramel and a faint waxy citrus—the kind of citrus you’d get from orange oils rather than the juice itself. Some gentle warmth from oak spice rounds it all off. No harshness, no real alcohol burn, just a steady tapering that left me reaching back to the glass sooner than I meant to.

Price and Value

This was a limited release, and it came in at a higher price point than the standard Loch Lomond range—around the £65–75 mark when I managed to buy it. For the character it offers, I felt it justified the price. It’s not an everyday whisky—but it’s something that feels purposefully composed and gives you plenty to savour, which for me makes the cost easier to accept. If you’re into flavour-driven, balanced blends that don’t lean too heavily in any one direction, this sits in a good space.

Background

Loch Lomond Distillery has always had a reputation for doing things a bit differently, thanks to their combination of pot stills, traditional swan necks, and the rare Lomond stills they use to create a wide range of spirit styles. This particular release, Remarkable Alchemy, was created as part of a collaboration between Master Blender Michael Henry and four whisky-loving writers under the banner of the Loch Lomond Remarkable Makers series.

It’s a blended malt made entirely from Loch Lomond’s own spirits—no sourced whiskies—and built to showcase the unique ways they can combine their different distillates. Some peated whisky is in the mix, along with ex-bourbon and wine cask influence. The final blend sits at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered, and carries no age statement, although it's clear from the profile that some older stock is in there.

You can find out more about the distillery and their range at the Loch Lomond Whiskies website.

Final Notes

So, would I buy this bottle again? Honestly, yes—though I’d probably save it for days when I want something with complexity and a bit more weight than most entry-level bottles offer. I wouldn’t recommend it as a first whisky for beginners, mainly because its depth might be lost or even a bit intimidating if you’re still new to the category. That said, if someone’s already familiar with whisky and looking to experience a precise, layered blend without massive peat or sherry overload, it’s a smart pick.

If you're wondering what kind of occasion suits this dram, I’d say it’s an end-of-day sipper—something for quiet moments when you have time to pay attention to what’s unfolding in the glass. As far as comparisons go, it reminded me a little of Compass Box’s more structured blends, but with its own Highland identity anchoring it.