Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled two limited-edition single malts to mark the 154th staging of The Open at Royal Birkdale. The bottlings continue the distillery’s long-running partnership with the championship, now in its ninth year, and promise another intriguing study in cask finishing, with Tawny Port and Argentinian Malbec both bringing distinct layers of fruit and spice to Loch Lomond’s recognisable house style.
Credentials for such a project are well established. The independent Highland distiller traces its roots back to 1814, with its modern distillery in Alexandria, just a few miles from the loch itself, becoming known for an unusually flexible approach to spirit creation.
Signature straight-neck stills, unique in Scotch whisky, give Master Blender Michael Henry exceptional control over reflux and flavour development, shaping the fruit-led, honeyed and gently smoky profile that has become synonymous with the brand.
Add to that one of Scotland’s few onsite cooperages, and Loch Lomond has long had the technical means to tailor whiskies around specific occasions and partnerships.
“Royal Birkdale holds a special place in the history of The Open. As one of the purest tests of links golf, it has provided the stage for some of the Championship’s greatest moments,” says Henry. “Through these new expressions, we have sought to explore the spirit of the course, the players and the craft that defines this historic venue. Each whisky is unmistakably Loch Lomond in character, showcasing our ability to create depth, balance and complexity while remaining true to our house style.”
Packaging for the 2026 editions feature artwork commissioned from Bucket List Prints, using a vintage travel-poster style to echo the romance of golf on England’s north-west coast.
Signature straight-neck stills, unique in Scotch whisky, give Master Blender Michael Henry exceptional control over reflux and flavour development…
Loch Lomond The Open tasting notes
The flagship release is The Open Course Collection 2026, bottled at 46.9% ABV. Limited to just 3,000 bottles worldwide, it’s been matured for 19 years in American oak before spending a further six months in Tawny Port casks. That finishing period introduces a richer red-fruit dimension without overwhelming the distillery’s classic structure.
On the nose, official tasting notes report toasted oak, apple, ginger and vanilla. The palate broadens into toffee, pineapple and lemon, joined by cinnamon spice, red berries and dried fruits, the Port influence bringing sweetness. The finish is long, carrying warming oak spice, dried fruit sweetness and Loch Lomond’s trademark thread of soft smoke.
In a detail likely to appeal to collectors, the outer pack includes the date, venue and winner of every Open Championship, stretching from Prestwick in 1860 through to Royal Birkdale in 2026.
Alongside it sits The Open Special Edition 2026, bottled at 46% ABV. Created in collaboration with golfer Colin Montgomerie, this expression begins in American oak before receiving a six-month finish in Argentinian Malbec casks, lending it a deeper berry-led profile.
Buyers can expect an aroma of dark berries, redcurrant and citrus zest, with vanilla, honey and soft malt beneath. On the palate, blackberry, raspberry and peach syrup lead, layered with crisp apple, toffee sweetness and gentle spice, while a subtle smoky note keeps it firmly within the Loch Lomond family. The finish is medium in length, with lingering berry sweetness, soft oak spice and a light smoky warmth.
For enthusiasts, the pair neatly illustrate Loch Lomond’s versatility. The Course Collection 2026 leans toward contemplative sipping and collectability, while the Special Edition offers a more approachable route into the distillery’s house style.
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Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled two limited-edition single malts to mark the 154th staging of The Open at Royal Birkdale. The bottlings continue the distillery’s long-running partnership with the championship, now in its ninth year, and promise another intriguing study in cask finishing, with Tawny Port and Argentinian Malbec both bringing distinct layers of fruit and spice to Loch Lomond’s recognisable house style.
Credentials for such a project are well established. The independent Highland distiller traces its roots back to 1814, with its modern distillery in Alexandria, just a few miles from the loch itself, becoming known for an unusually flexible approach to spirit creation.
Signature straight-neck stills, unique in Scotch whisky, give Master Blender Michael Henry exceptional control over reflux and flavour development, shaping the fruit-led, honeyed and gently smoky profile that has become synonymous with the brand.
Add to that one of Scotland’s few onsite cooperages, and Loch Lomond has long had the technical means to tailor whiskies around specific occasions and partnerships.
“Royal Birkdale holds a special place in the history of The Open. As one of the purest tests of links golf, it has provided the stage for some of the Championship’s greatest moments,” says Henry. “Through these new expressions, we have sought to explore the spirit of the course, the players and the craft that defines this historic venue. Each whisky is unmistakably Loch Lomond in character, showcasing our ability to create depth, balance and complexity while remaining true to our house style.”
Packaging for the 2026 editions feature artwork commissioned from Bucket List Prints, using a vintage travel-poster style to echo the romance of golf on England’s north-west coast.
Loch Lomond The Open tasting notes
The flagship release is The Open Course Collection 2026, bottled at 46.9% ABV. Limited to just 3,000 bottles worldwide, it’s been matured for 19 years in American oak before spending a further six months in Tawny Port casks. That finishing period introduces a richer red-fruit dimension without overwhelming the distillery’s classic structure.
On the nose, official tasting notes report toasted oak, apple, ginger and vanilla. The palate broadens into toffee, pineapple and lemon, joined by cinnamon spice, red berries and dried fruits, the Port influence bringing sweetness. The finish is long, carrying warming oak spice, dried fruit sweetness and Loch Lomond’s trademark thread of soft smoke.
In a detail likely to appeal to collectors, the outer pack includes the date, venue and winner of every Open Championship, stretching from Prestwick in 1860 through to Royal Birkdale in 2026.
Alongside it sits The Open Special Edition 2026, bottled at 46% ABV. Created in collaboration with golfer Colin Montgomerie, this expression begins in American oak before receiving a six-month finish in Argentinian Malbec casks, lending it a deeper berry-led profile.
Buyers can expect an aroma of dark berries, redcurrant and citrus zest, with vanilla, honey and soft malt beneath. On the palate, blackberry, raspberry and peach syrup lead, layered with crisp apple, toffee sweetness and gentle spice, while a subtle smoky note keeps it firmly within the Loch Lomond family. The finish is medium in length, with lingering berry sweetness, soft oak spice and a light smoky warmth.
For enthusiasts, the pair neatly illustrate Loch Lomond’s versatility. The Course Collection 2026 leans toward contemplative sipping and collectability, while the Special Edition offers a more approachable route into the distillery’s house style.
The Open Course Collection 2026 is priced at £195, while The Open Special Edition 2026 sells for £45. Both expressions are available now from The Whisky Exchange.
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