Loch Lomond Whiskies has launched Steam & Fire. The whisky is finished in heavily charred American Oak casks, flamed at the brand’s own cooperage. It is one of only four distillery’s in Scotland to house its own cooperage.
Loch Lomond Steam & Fire begins its journey being distilled in a combination of Straight Neck and traditional Swan Neck Pot Stills before maturing in first fill bourbon barrels and refill American Oak casks. This single malt Scotch is then finished in heavily charred American Oak casks for 10 months.
The heavily charred American Oak barrels have a distinctive rich demerara sugar influence on the whisky, creating a rich flavor profile characterised by notes of orange, pear, and melted brown sugar with a dark chocolate and a soft smoke finish.
Steam and Fire is presented in packaging colors of blue and red, with iconography from around the distillery illustrating the casks and unique stills. The creative is intended to ignite an emotive response and bring to life the importance of both distillation and maturation in Loch Lomond’s whisky making.
“Steam & Fire is unlike anything we have created at our distillery before,” said Michael Henry, Master Blender at Loch Lomond Whiskies. “Intended to capture our extensive and unique capabilities in whisky making, it is a striking expression which speaks to the heart of what Loch Lomond Whiskies is trying to achieve and our ongoing experimentation with flavour. Steam & Fire is a representation of our quest to create whisky outside of the ordinary, bringing together our impressive capabilities in distillation and maturation.”
The launch of the new whisky includes a collaboration with open-fire chef Genevieve Taylor, who partnered with the distiller for its Remarkable Makers campaign, which sees Loch Lomond Whiskies partner with like-minded creators and artisan craftspeople to lift the lid on the complex whisky making process.
An accomplished chef, she is the author of 12 cook books and is fascinated by the science of cooking over fire. Genevieve is inspired by her lifelong love of nature and sustainability, with her recipes specifically created based on the seasonality and locality of ingredients.
“Fire as a method for cooking is a time-honoured craft, much like whisky making, which has survived for generations,” said Genevieve. “It is such strong primal element and in many ways it can be unpredictable. Like a master blender, you have to very carefully control all of the variables to curate the final flavour you want. Too much wood creates a very distinctive smoky flavour, which can distract from delicate dishes, whereas pure charcoal allows the subtleties of ingredients to come to the fore. The slightest change in this balance has a profound impact on the final recipe.”
Steam & Fire is priced at £45 per bottle and can be purchased at specialist retailers including Master of Malt, as well as directly from the brand’s official website.