Sadly demolished in 2005, the building that was home to Lochside distillery stood out from the local architecture by virtue of being modelled on a traditional German brauhaus. Which makes sense when you consider it began life, in 1786, as a brewery. This remained the case until 1957 when it was bought by Joseph Hobbs (the owner of Ben Nevis), who used the site to produce malt and grain whiskies for his Sandy Macnab blend.

In 1973 Lochside was bought by a Spanish company, Destilerias y Crianzas, who decommissioned the Coffey Stills, instead choosing to focus on malt whisky production for their own DYC blend. However, in 1992 the company were bought by Allied Distillers who deemed Lochside surplus to requirements and pulled the plug. For those wishing to experience Lochside as a single malt, the choice is between the increasingly scarce ten year old official bottling and a smattering of independent releases.

"Wonderful notes from the oak give hints of spice, clove and vanilla" – Whisky Magazine #138 Scored 9.2/10

Lombard Tasting Notes - Smoky nose with hints of toffee. Slippery-smooth palate and a real sugary rush. Big and very rich with a hot fruity finish. Lochside was a capricious malt. Regarded as Springbank of the east. It is dearly missed. Distillery closed 1991.

Distilled: 23/02/1981

Bottled: 04/08/2005

Matured in Cask #612

Bottle Number: 2 / 258

50% ABV / 70cl