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.
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.
2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition – Gold
Lochlea Cask Strength
Lochlea Cask Strength Batch 1 is the first in a series of annual limited-edition bottlings. Each batch will be bottled straight from the casks without water, like trying samples from the warehouse itself! Master Blender John Campbell and the team at Lochlea have chosen Bourbon and Sherry casks this time,
and every year will show further progression of our whisky. Despite the very limited volume available in each country, the few who manage to secure a bottle will experience a true undiluted and unfiltered window into Lochlea whisky.
60.1% ABV
15,000 Bottles Worldwide, 1,452 for the US
NOSE: Fruit punch, cigar notes, coffee beans
PALATE: Signature Lochlea fruit, Brazil nuts
FINISH: Orange syrup mixed with aged Oak shaving
Lochlea Harvest Edition (Second Crop)
Our seasonal small batch releases showcase the signature Lochlea style in four different ways each year. As a working farm, these expressions tie-in to reflect the farming calendar. In our Harvest Edition (Second Crop), we have carefully selected Port casks, STR barriques and first-fill Bourbon barrels to offer a deliciously different twist this year. In comparison to Harvest Edition (First Crop), we have incorporated a much higher proportion of Port casks to enhance the whisky’s creaminess, whilst also introducing a delightful peppery spice from the STR barriques. The second in a new set of four limited editions, this whisky is inspired by the end of summer, when our golden barley is harvested and eventually used for the next year’s production.
Bottled at 46% abv.
NOSE: Dates, ripe red grapes, thick cut marmalade.
PALATE: Pink peppercorns and dried fruit.
FINISH: A beautiful, lingering, creamy finish.
Lochlea Sewing Edition (Second Crop)
Our Seasonal Small Batch Releases showcase the signature Lochlea style in four diffrent ways each year. As a working farm, these expressions tie-in to reflect the farming calendar.
In our Sowing Edition (Second Crop) for 2023, we have used 100% fresh 1st-fill ex-Bourbon barrels from higher up in the warehouse than in 2022. The heat, faster maturation, and older spirit combine to show a clear progression from last year’s edition.
Bottled at 46% abv. 1,002 bottles for the US.
Nose: Signature sweet red apple and pear.
Palate: Vanilla pods and almond oil.
Finish: Medium length with a crisp, refreshing pine forrest note.
Lochlea Ploughing Edition
The fourth and final in an annual series of limited seasonal bottlings, Lochlea Ploughing Edition reflects the season of Winter on the farm when we start to plough the fields in preparation for sowing the barley seeds in the Spring.
We’ve created a warming, smoky version of our signature Lochlea whisky by using a combination of ex-Islay barrels and peated quarter casks. We chose an icy blue label to reflect the bitterly cold and frosty Ayrshire winters.
Bottled at 46% abv. 1,002 bottles for the US.
Nose: Baked fruit with a light peat smoke in the background.
Palate: Old fashioned boiled sweets, more cooked apple, and Brazil nuts.
Finish: Lingering fruit and nuttiness all intertwined with a haze of Islay peat smoke.
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 (First Crop)
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 (First Crop)
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.