Lochlea Distillery in the Scottish Lowlands is launching its first cask strength single malt whisky as part of a new series of annual bottlings.
Cask Strength Batch 1 has been aged in first-fill ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, in approximately a 70/30 split, and bottled at 60.1% ABV. Tasting notes supplied by the distillery say to expect concentrated fruit aromas with notes of cigar, coffee bean, Brazil nut, and orange syrup.
The whisky's release comes after Lochlea was crowned Single Estate of the year in the 2023 global Icons of Whisky competition.
The grain-to-glass distillery in Ayrshire released its first single malt whisky for Burns Night in January 2022. A number of expressions have followed, including the core-range Lochlea Our Barley, an unpeated single malt marrying spirit from ex-bourbon, oloroso sherry, and STR casks, and a four-part collection of seasonal editions celebrating its agricultural connections which will be released annually (named Sowing, Harvest, Fallow, and Ploughing).
Lochlea master blender John Campbell said: "Here at Lochlea we are passionate about the quality and traceability of our whiskies and this is reflected in every stage of our whisky-making process. From our own barley fields surrounding the distillery and our traditional wooden washbacks, to our sourcing of the finest casks available and racked warehouse storage, there are absolutely no compromises on our quality. Our new Cask Strength whisky enables this quality to shine through in every dram, showing an amplified version of our signature Lochlea style for those whisky lovers looking for an extra special something: a bold yet elegant spirit made with a contemporary approach alongside respected traditions."
Lochlea Cask Strength Batch 1 will be available from 31 May 2023 from selected specialist whisky retailers with a recommended price of £65 per bottle.
Lochlea Distillery is located on a former livestock farm where Scottish bard Robert Burns lived and worked from 1777–1784. The farm was purchased by Neil and Jen McGeoch in 2006, and following a successful trial to grow their own barley in 2015, the couple decided to convert the site and existing farm buildings into a distillery. The renovation project was completed in 2017 and distilling started the following year.
Cask Strength Batch 1 has been aged in first-fill ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks, in approximately a 70/30 split, and bottled at 60.1% ABV. Tasting notes supplied by the distillery say to expect concentrated fruit aromas with notes of cigar, coffee bean, Brazil nut, and orange syrup.
The whisky's release comes after Lochlea was crowned Single Estate of the year in the 2023 global Icons of Whisky competition.
The grain-to-glass distillery in Ayrshire released its first single malt whisky for Burns Night in January 2022. A number of expressions have followed, including the core-range Lochlea Our Barley, an unpeated single malt marrying spirit from ex-bourbon, oloroso sherry, and STR casks, and a four-part collection of seasonal editions celebrating its agricultural connections which will be released annually (named Sowing, Harvest, Fallow, and Ploughing).
Lochlea master blender John Campbell said: "Here at Lochlea we are passionate about the quality and traceability of our whiskies and this is reflected in every stage of our whisky-making process. From our own barley fields surrounding the distillery and our traditional wooden washbacks, to our sourcing of the finest casks available and racked warehouse storage, there are absolutely no compromises on our quality. Our new Cask Strength whisky enables this quality to shine through in every dram, showing an amplified version of our signature Lochlea style for those whisky lovers looking for an extra special something: a bold yet elegant spirit made with a contemporary approach alongside respected traditions."
Lochlea Cask Strength Batch 1 will be available from 31 May 2023 from selected specialist whisky retailers with a recommended price of £65 per bottle.
Lochlea Distillery is located on a former livestock farm where Scottish bard Robert Burns lived and worked from 1777–1784. The farm was purchased by Neil and Jen McGeoch in 2006, and following a successful trial to grow their own barley in 2015, the couple decided to convert the site and existing farm buildings into a distillery. The renovation project was completed in 2017 and distilling started the following year.
