Lochan Ora Scotch Liqueur
For the last week I've been fixated on the Olympics. I was thinking of taking a look at the Olympic cocktail, but it is a pretty boring drink and doesn't even come close to be as epic as the Olympics. It's just brandy, triple sec and orange juice. You might as well put Grand Marnier in a glass of OJ. So, I decided to dig through my liquor cabinet and see if there was anything interesting to write about. The bottle of choice was Lochan Ora, a sweet scotch liqueur, made by Chivas Brothers, which is very similar to Drambuie.
Drambuie is the ubiquitous scotch liqueur. It is found in every corner of the planet and is the famed ingredient in a Rusty Nail. These scotch liqueurs are made from aged scotch and sweetened with heather honey. This type of honey is made by bees from Bell Heather and Ling Heather flowers, among other types. This is where the name comes from anyway, in-case you were wondering. The other additions to the liqueur include herbs such as fennel and angelica which provide a very slight medicinal taste. Now, when I say medicinal, I mean it in the best possible way. Also these herbs are not the predominant flavour, they just add to the complexity of the liqueur.
Lochan Ora translates to "golden loch liqueur"and is made from 100% Scotch Whiskies produced by the well known Chivas Brothers. There is limited information on this product, and even the Chivas Brothers website doesn't provide much information.
When sampling the liqueur the first thing that hits you is that it is very sweet, but exceptionally smooth considering the alcohol content is 35%. As the sugar passes, the herbal and smokey scotch notes come out. There is a slight warming as you sip this liqueur. The sweetness is a bit much straight, but on ice works a little better. But, this liqueur shines when making a Rusty Nail. Personally, I like to make them with 2 parts Scotch and 1 part Lochan Ora. Now some people will scream blasphemy, but I like Macallan 10 Year in my Rusty Nails. My drink, my choice. If I'm going to drink, I'm not going to sub in lower quality ingredients. It's like cooking, better ingredients make a better drink.
Another way to enjoy these sweet Scottish liqueurs is to mix them with Poteen or vodka. I personally prefer Poteen as it is a malted barley distillate and retains some of the unique flavours from the mash. You can use vodka if you want. This just allows the flavours of the Lochan Ora to come out a little clearer, with out the muddy effect of the honey sweetness.
If you find a bottle of Lochan Ora, I would recommend you pick it up if you like Drambuie. It will give you some variety in your Rusty Nails.
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13 Comments on Lochan Ora Scotch Liqueur
Leave a comment on Lochan Ora Scotch Liqueur
To the best of my knowledge, Lochan Ora hasn't been made for years.
If somebody knows otherwise, I'd love to hear about it.
As far as I can see there is regular inventory at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO). Currently there are over 100 bottles in stock all over Ontario. I picked my bottle just about a year ago.
May be they don't distribute it to certain countries. I know in the case of Cherry Marnier, that it is not available in the US because they cannot supply the quantity required.
Anybody know anything else about Lochan Ora?
I know nothing of this liqueur, but I do like Drambuie, even though i have never acquired a taste for Scotch. I will keep my eyes peeled in the Portland, OR metro area, and let you know.
I have a bottle of, Chivas brothers ltd, loghan ora liqueur.
4/5 70 proof. ( still in the org box)
can you tell me the worth of this item
regards,
joyce souza
Would it be possible to put me in touch with someone that knows where to obtain the small miniature bottles of Drambuie, i.e., certain liguor stores, drug stores, super markets, etc.?
As you have done a head to head with Lochan Ora and other products, have you completed a comparison with XO Canadian Scotch Maple Liquor made by Maple Leaf Distilleries?
XO Canadian Scotch Maple Liquor is a Canadian Scotch Whisky blended with Canadian Maple Syrup from Ontario
A smooth scotch with strong notes of the Canadian Whisky with a subtle hint of the sweet maple syrup. Best drunk in a shot glass with a small ice cube. A refreshing sweet aftertaste of the Maple Syrup glides down the back of your throat. A fantastic and elegant after dinner drink for those who do not drink Port or Cognac. A perfect aperitif
This is a perfect drink over ice. The ladies who are not Scotch aficionados may prefer this drink over ice cream. My wife who is a non-drinker has developed a Chocolate Moose recipe with this liquor as an additive rather than Brandy.
Buy XO Canadian Scotch Maple Liquor where ever you can, as fast as you can as I’m told the distillery has gone into receivership and no longer producing this wonderful, multi-purpose elixir, I have been asked to part with my stock pile for good money but as you know a Scot will never reveal what’s under his kilt, nor will I sell my now rare XO Canadian Scotch Maple Liquor.
I am trying to locate some X.O. Canadian Maple Syrup Liquor. It is a fantastic liquor! I understand the company was sold. Someone must have a few bottles somewhere....can anyone help me?????
XO Original Canadian Maple Liqueur (a Whiskey) made by Maple Leaf Distillers is available all over Manitoba in the Liquor stores. Not sure if its nearing the end of the stock or still producing, but I have always seen it there in reasonable quantities at about $30 for a 750 mL bottle.
I sent an e-mail to chivas and they informed me that Lochran Ora is still produced but it is only sold in Canada, Spain, Andorrs and the UK some duty free outlets care it.
I have been trying to find an out let on line from Canada,
but their Liquor stores are controlled by the government. I don't know if they would sell on line.
Just stumbled upon a bottle (just one) at a local store in Geneseo, NY. I have never seen this before, and thought, what the heck,for twenty bucks I'll give it a try. Delicious after my steak dinner, with a nice Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva. I think I like it much better than Drambuie.
I would love to find out how to buy a few bottles.... living in the US makes it impossible - but if anyone reads this and has an outlet or ability to purchase a few bottles and ship them - I would gladly pay accordingly and arrange to ship on my
Federal Express or DHL account.
We stock Lochan Ora on-line and in our Edinburgh and London shops. We have done for many years and have enjoyed supplying our many American customers. Unfortunately Chivas have also said they are discontinuing it (in the UK only I think, but can;t be sure). We bought as much as we could but only have about 6 months supply.
Hopefully this link should work to our website.
http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/product.asp?pf_id=0010000003574
Arthur, Royal Mile Whiskies
I came across a bottle of Lochan Ora (along with other interesting liquor) in my 91 year old Grandmother's liquor cabinet. The bottle looks to be unopened although the US Internal Revenu band is slightly torn. It's most likely from the 1960's or 1970's. The underside of the bottle reads: Chivas Brothers, Ltd. SC 148 A 4 U G B Aberdeen Scotland. Maybe I will break it open this Thanksgiving!