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24th May 2023 |
Introducing
the inaugural release in the new Cask
Strength series from Lochlea farm
distillery, this release was matured in
a combination of 70% First-Fill
ex-Bourbon and 30% Oloroso sherry casks.
 Lochlea distillery is a relatively new
farm distillery located in Ayrshire in
the Scottish Lowlands, it went into
production back in 2018 and as their
spirit continues to come-of-age we can
naturally expect to see more releases
from Lochlea.
Lochlea's latest offering is its first
ever Cask Strength single malt whisky
release, Lochlea Cask Strength Batch 1,
this is the first release in a new Cask
Strength series with one new batch
scheduled to be released annually which
should give whisky enthusiasts a 'full
strength & flavour' insight into how
Lochlea's single malt whisky is progressing
as it matures.
Although a Lowland distillery Lochlea's
whisky style isn't typically Lowland and
this inaugural Lochlea Cask Strength
Batch 1 should confirm that. The new
Cask Strength Batch 1 has been carefully
selected by Master Blender John Campbell
and his team, bottled straight from the
cask at 60.1% ABV, naturally coloured
and non-chill filtered.
Lochlea Cask Strength Batch 1 has been
aged in a combination of 70% First-Fill
ex-Bourbon and 30% Oloroso sherry casks
which the distillery tells me has
amplified the fruit, nut and cereal
flavours that form part of Lochlea’s
house style.
Cask Strength follows an array of unique
releases from the awarded barley
farm-based distillery since it
introduced its very first single malt
whisky for Burns Night in January 2022 –
Lochlea First Release Single Malt
Whisky.
Last summer also saw an exciting
permanent addition to the range –
Lochlea Our Barley. The unpeated single
malt is a marriage of three different
casks: first-fill ex-bourbon barrels,
Oloroso sherry butts and STR barriques,
all of which add depth of flavour to the
spirit. Launched in July 2022, Our
Barley has received much acclaim and
multiple awards* as a superb example of
a young non-age statement (NAS) whisky
made entirely from the distillery’s own
home-grown barley.
In celebration of the seasons that
govern Lochlea’s own farming practices,
the distillery has also released limited
edition seasonal whiskies throughout the
year, all made from the distillery’s own
barley. The seasonal edition releases
are: Sowing, Harvest, Fallow and
Ploughing Editions. 2022 saw the first
edition or ‘Crop’ of each season release
with a follow up of each to be revealed
again in 2023.
John Campbell, Lochlea Master Blender,
who I am sure many of you know from his
time at Laphroaig, 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."
David Ferguson, Commercial Director
said: "It’s been a quick 18 months for
us since the launch of our first whisky!
The recent award wins for our core
expression Lochlea Our Barley have been
milestones for the distillery, and we’re
now following these up with our first
ever Cask Strength release. Lochlea Cask
Strength Batch 1 brings the Lochlea
flavours that our customers have grown
to love, but amps them all up a level! I
look forward to allocating these bottles
across our valued UK on and off-trade
partners, and our importers across 20
markets in Europe, North America and
Asia Pacific."
Lochlea was originally a 222 acre
livestock farm before being purchased by
Neil and Jen McGeoch in 2006. After much
consideration of the future of the farm
and a successful trial to grow its own
barley in 2015, the couple transformed
the land and existing farm buildings
into a fully operational distillery in
2017 and started distilling the
following year. The farming side has
remained a unique part of Lochlea, with
the move into barley production paving
the way for Lochlea to be one of the
very few grain-to-glass distilleries in
Scotland. It also has a rich Scottish
heritage with strong links to Robert
Burns, with the bard having worked and
lived on the farm during his formative
years from 1777 to 1784.
Ahead of the first whisky release in
2022, the team has focused on getting
the distillery and business up and
running - its quietly confident, yet
ambitious approach since being
established is starting to make its
neighbours sit up and take notice.
I haven't had a chance to taste the
Lochlea Cask Strength Batch 1 so I cant
comment on its quality but there is a
brief tasting note from the distillery
below, it is available from 31st May and has a RRP
of £65 or for a little less you will
currently find Lochlea Barley with a RRP of £45 available from specialist online whisky
shops such as
The Whisky Exchange,
The Whisky Shop,
Master of Malt
and
Hard To Find Whisky
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Lochlea Cask Strength Batch 1 Review
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Bottled at 60.1%
ABV, naturally coloured and non-chill
filtered.
Producer's
Tasting Notes:
Lochlea Cask Strength Batch 1 begins
with a concentrated fruit punch note
leading to soft cigar notes and aromatic
coffee beans. It then develops with more
signature Lochlea fruit, a hint of
Brazil nuts and finishes with a moreish
orange syrup mixed with aged oak
shavings.
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