
Barley had historically been grown on the farm land, largely as livestock feed, so in 2015 we embarked on an experiment, growing 50 acres of malting barley.
Working away quietly, learning from our (not too frequent) mistakes, exploring the possibilities and making contacts in the malting industry gave us the confidence to make a big decision: we’d develop and operate a single malt distillery here at Lochlea.
Construction got underway in 2017, converting the former piggery, byre and midden in the heart of the farm steading into the distillery, and repurposing the cattle sheds into bonded warehouses. We secured all our licences in 2018, and the distillery was commissioned in August 2018.
Since then, we have been growing our barley, and the distillery team have been skillfully and patiently making spirit.
The land at Lochlea is important, and not just to the distinctive taste of our whisky. This was the land that Robert Burns tended when he lived at Lochlea Farm, inspiring his thinking and development as a poet. Burns toiled the same soil that we are privileged to grow our malting barley in today.
We like to think he’d approve.


2023 Icons of Whisky Scotland – Highly Commended in the Sustainable Distillery and Brand Innovator categories and Winner in the Single Estate category.
Lochlea Our Barley

John Campbell’s masterpiece! Our Barley is our ongoing core Single Malt expression, which sits alongside side our seasonal limited editions. Our Master Blender has carefully honed this recipe, and with a combination of Bourbon, Sherry and STR Casks there is a whole new level of depth and complexity to the final whisky.
Bottled at 46% abv.
Nose: Pear syrup, fruit Bon Bons, warm cut grass, marmalade.
Palate: Golden syrup, pepper, Rye bread, macadamia nuts, cream soda.
Finish: Long finish with a lasting orange beeswax note.
Oloroso Sherry Butts: Delivered straight from Jerez, Spain, our Oloroso Sherry Butts present flavors of fruit Bon Bons, marmalade and macadamia nuts.
STR Barriques: Delivered straight from Spain, our ‘Shaved, Toasted, Re-charred’ Barriques impart peppery spice and rye bread notes.
First-Fill Bourbon Barrels: Delivered straight from Loretto, Kentucky, our fresh First-Fill Bourbon Barrels help to impart golden syrup and cream soda flavors.
Lochlea Fallow Edition

The third in an annual series of limited seasonal bottlings, Lochlea ‘Fallow Edition’ (First Crop) reflects the season of Autumn on the farm, when the fields are left fallow to rest after a busy harvest.
This is the first Lochlea release to be matured solely in 100% 1st fill ex-Oloroso Sherry butts.
A rich purple label reflects the crisp leaves that cover the ground as temperatures begin to fall.
Bottled at 46% abv
Nose: Ripe red fruits & freshly baked banana loaf.
Palate: Dried fruit , leathery notes, malt biscuits.
Finish: Medium length, with hints of aniseed & moreish floral rose petals
Lochlea Harvest Edition

The second in an annual series of limited seasonal bottlings, Lochlea Harvest Edition reflects the end of Summer, when our golden barley is ready to be harvested and eventually used for next year’s production. We’ve chosen a coral red label to reflect the Ayrshire soil, which changes color to a deep, sunset hue once the barley has been harvested.
Matured in Port Hogsheads, Oloroso Sherry Butts, and 1st Fill Bourbon Barrels.
Bottled at 46% abv
Nose: Stewed apples, pear drops, oat biscuits.
Palate: Strawberries, violet, toasted marshmallows.
Finish: Signature Lochlea cereal & freshly cut grass.
Lochlea Sowing Edition

Lochlea Sowing Edition was matured in 100% first-fill Bourbon barrels. It is bottled naturally with no added coloring, and is non-chill filtered.
This is the first in an annual series of limited seasonal bottlings, Sowing Edition reflects Spring, when we start sowing the seed for this year’s barley.
Bottled at 48% abv.
PALATE: Vanilla sweetness, orchard fruits, and hazelnuts.
FINISH: Fruity with a final sweetness & lasting viscosity.
2022 Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards – Gold, 90 Points
Lochlea First Release

Lochlea First Release was matured in first-fill Bourbon and Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks. It is bottled naturally with no added coloring, and is non-chill filtered.
Bottled at 46% abv.
PALATE: Stewed fruit, toasted oats, cinnamon, cloves, and hazelnuts
FINISH: Medium mouth coating, fresh fruit, sweet cereal, and spice.