Lochlea
Distillery has unveiled Lochlea Cask
Strength Batch 3—the latest in its
annual series of limited-edition cask
strength releases. This year’s release
marks a daring evolution in the series,
combining the deep richness of Oloroso
sherry casks with the bold character of
ex-Islay peated casks—a combination
never before explored by Lochlea.
 Award-winning, farm-to-cask Lochlea
Distillery has unveiled Lochlea Cask
Strength Batch 3—the latest in its
annual series of limited-edition cask
strength releases, and the first to
introduce a distinctive new flavour
direction for the independently owned
distillery.
This year’s release marks a daring
evolution in the series, combining the
deep richness of Oloroso sherry casks
with the bold character of ex-Islay
peated casks—a combination never before
explored by Lochlea. It also represents
a key milestone for Master Blender Jill
Boyd, who joined the distillery in late
2024 and oversaw the creation of Lochlea
Cask Strength Batch 3 from cask
selection to final blend.
Jill’s meticulous work brings together
whiskies matured in Oloroso Sherry Butts
and ex-Islay peated barrels to produce a
spirit which they say perfectly balances
signature Lochlea depth with an
unexpected smoky edge. Cask Strength
Batch 3 is said to open with an inviting
nose of ripe red fruits and savoury BBQ
smoke, followed by a rich palate of dark
cherries and molasses, accented by
warming ginger cake, toasted rye, and
charred wood. The long, complex finish
weaves together baking spices, saline
smoke, and oak tannins, softened by
delicate floral hints of red
roses—delivering a striking new
interpretation of Lochlea’s house style.
As with previous releases, Batch 3 is
bottled at natural cask strength,
non-chill filtered and undiluted,
offering whisky lovers an authentic
warehouse tasting experience in every
sip.
This follows the success of Cask
Strength Batch 2, released in summer
2024, which was matured in PX, Oloroso,
and STR casks and praised for its
layered complexity. The inaugural Cask
Strength Batch 1, launched in 2023,
showcased a blend of first-fill Bourbon
and Oloroso Sherry casks—highlighting
the fruit, nut, and cereal notes that
define Lochlea’s core spirit, elevated
by the robust cask strength format.
Jill commented: "I am especially proud
of Cask Strength Batch 3 as it has been
my first opportunity to curate one of
our whiskies from concept to bottle,
putting my own mark on our range. I
wanted to push the boundaries of our
house style with something bold and
different. As many whisky lovers will
know, sherry and peat are both hugely
popular flavour profiles, and we saw an
opportunity to bring them together in a
way that feels fresh and bold, yet
rooted in our distillery’s DNA. It’s
complex, it’s warming, and it’s got a
smoky twist making it the perfect dram
to enjoy with a BBQ in the sunshine!"
As with all Lochlea whiskies, Cask
Strength Batch 3 is non-chill filtered
and contains no added colouring. Bottled
at what should be a robust and
flavoursome 59.8% ABV, it is priced at
an RRP of £67, will be available from
29th May 2025 from specialist online whisky
shops such as
The Whisky Exchange
and
Master of Malt
|
