There is something rather fitting about a whisky that pairs the gravitas of The Open Championship with the warmth of a Tuscan wine cellar. Loch Lomond's The Open Special Edition 2025, finished in Chianti wine casks, is exactly the kind of release that catches my attention — a Highland whisky with an Italian accent, bottled at a sensible 46% ABV and priced where most of us can actually reach it.
Loch Lomond have built a solid reputation for their Open Championship series, and this 2025 edition continues that tradition with a genuinely interesting cask choice. Chianti casks are not something you see every day in Scotch whisky. Where sherry and port finishes have become almost expected in the modern landscape, a Chianti wine cask finish signals a willingness to push into less familiar territory. Chianti — that dry, cherry-driven Sangiovese red from Tuscany — should impart a particular fruitiness and tannic structure that sets this apart from the usual wine-finished fare.
At 46% ABV, this sits at that sweet spot I always appreciate: strong enough to carry its flavours with conviction, gentle enough that it doesn't demand water. The fact that this is a no-age-statement release will raise eyebrows for some, but I have long argued that NAS whiskies deserve to be judged on what is in the glass, not what is absent from the label. At £45.25, Loch Lomond are not asking you to take a gamble — this is firmly in everyday-treat territory, well below what many distilleries now charge for their standard range.
What to Expect
As a Highland whisky with a Chianti cask finish, you should expect a spirit that bridges the malty, slightly honeyed backbone typical of the region with the red-fruit and spice influence of Italian wine oak. The Chianti finish is likely to bring dried cherry, perhaps a hint of baking spice, and a gentle tannic grip on the back end. At 46%, those flavours should come through with clarity rather than being drowned out by heat. This is a whisky built for people who enjoy wine-finished expressions but want something a little different from the standard sherry bomb.
The Verdict
I have a genuine soft spot for releases that take a measured risk. The Chianti cask finish is not a gimmick here — it is a deliberate choice that gives this Open Edition its own identity in a crowded market of commemorative bottlings. At £45.25, the value proposition is strong. You are getting a well-constructed Highland whisky at a natural strength, with a cask influence that should offer something genuinely distinctive on your shelf. I am scoring this 7.8 out of 10. It earns that mark for ambition, accessibility, and the simple fact that it gives you something to talk about without emptying your wallet. A worthy addition to the Open series.
Best Served
I would start this one neat at room temperature to let the wine-cask influence speak for itself. If the Chianti finish brings the tannic weight I expect, a few drops of water will open things up beautifully. On a warm afternoon — perhaps while watching The Open itself — this would also make a rather fine Highball with good soda water and a twist of orange peel. The fruit character from the Chianti cask should sing in that format.
