Welcome to Inbox, our weekly round up of whisky news and PR material that has found its way in to our WFE email. Inbox features items from around the world of whisky and is published by us each Friday. Here is this week’s whisky news …
Lochlea
The farm-to-bottle Lowland distillery of Lochlea have announced the final bottling in their seasonal range. This range celebrates different points of the farming year – Ploughing, Sowing, Harvest and Fallow. The Lochlea Ploughing Edition (Third Crop) concludes the three-year series from the award winning distillery, which was first released in 2023.
The Ploughing Edition is the only Lochlea to show any smoky characteristics after full maturation in ex-Islay whisky barrels. The Third Crop is no different and is described as ‘Lochlea’s smokiest whisky yet’ by Jill Boyd, the Master Blender. It is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. The new whisky will be available in selected specialist retailers in selected world markets from the end of March. A bottle will cost £51.50.
Maker’s Mark
The Kentucky wheated bourbon brand of Maker’s Mark has announced the latest bottling in its annual Wood Finishing Series. The series is a collection of one-of-a-kind whiskeys that use a wood stave-finishing technique said to enhance distinctive characteristics. Maker’s Mark The Keepers Release is inspired by the Star Hill Farm warehouse team. They ensure every barrel of Maker’s Mark matures consistently according to the founders’ vision.
The Keepers Release is matured for six years and is bottled at the natural barrel strength of 54.6% ABV (109.2 Proof). Each barrel included has been hand rotated during its life to ensure consistent maturation, before being selected by Dr. Blake Layfield – the Master Distiller at Maker’s Mark. It is available in most US states now and will cost US$75 per bottle.
