Review | Lochlea Our Barley

Our Barley is the core product and currently only permanent release from the small family-owned distillery of Lochlea. Every grain of barley used in their whisky production is grown on the Lochlea farm. This is the inspiration for the name of this single malt whisky. Launched in July 2020, Our Barley is matured in a combination of first-fill Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry and STR (shaved, toasted and recharred) casks.

Lochlea Distillery is located the Scottish Lowlands region in Ayrshire, Scotland. It is around 45 minutes south of Glasgow, near the town of Kilmarnock. Lochlea Farm, on which the distillery sits, was purchased in 2006 by Neil and Jennifer McGeoch as a pedigree beef cattle farm. The 222-acre farm had always grown barley for cattle feed, however in 2015 they made the bold decision to turn 50-acres over to malting barley. With time and success this expanded to produce the 600 tonnes of barley needed for annual production. This will produce close to 200,000 litres of new make spirit.

In 2017 the construction of the distillery began; converting the former piggery, byre, and midden into the distillery. They also repurposed the cattle sheds into bonded warehouses. Whisky production finally began in 2018 and the first whisky was released in 2022. The distillery remains a farm-to-cask distillery with all grain used to make their whisky grown on their farm. Around 20% of that grain is also floor malted on site.

Lochlea Farm also holds a place in Scottish history as the former home of famous Scottish poet laureate and wordsmith Robert Burns. He lived and worked on the farm throughout his formative years, from 1777 until his father’s death in 1784.

Lochlea Farm is deeply rooted in Scottish history and is known for being the home and work place of Robert Burns from 1777 to 1784. Burns is known for his honest, passionate and progressive nature and this has inspired some of Lochlea distillery’s core values.

David Ferguson | Lochlea Whisky Commercial Manager

Lochlea’s Our Barley sits alongside a range seasonal limited-edition whiskies. This range celebrates different points of the farming year – Ploughing, Sowing, Harvest and Fallow. There is also an annual Cask Strength release. Our Barley is non-chill filtered with no added colouring. It is bottled at 46% ABV and is available in selected world markets via specialist retailers. A bottle should cost around £50.

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Our Tasting Notes

The colour is a vibrant, bright gold and the nose is enticing, fresh and vibrant. The front part of the nose is loaded with crisp green apple, vanilla and pear and this gives a lovely freshness. Then come further aromas of sugary sultana, freshly baked cinnamon cookies and golden syrup. Underneath sit hints of malted barley and earthy baking spices.

On the palate this whisky has a lovely mouthfeel with a delicious viscosity and almost oily nature.The fruit is again to the fore, like on the nose. Notes of crisp, tart green apple and pear drops sweets lead the way and remain pronounced throughout. A twist of lemon zest adds to the vibrancy. Then come further notes of vanilla, juicy plump sultana and crumbly muscovado sugar. A distinct malty quality, which is reminiscent of malted biscuits or oat cookies, is in the background and add a pleasant twist.

The finish is of decent length and packed with notes of warm cinnamon cookies and cocoa, with a pinch of baking spice. The gresh and tangy green apple and tart pear are never far away however, nor is the underlying maltiness. Very moreish.

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What’s The Verdict?

Our barley is very good and a great core product. For us, a good core product is as important as a distillery’s inaugural release. It is important to nail it as a core release is the one that most people will buy and have access to. We can see potential of how Lochlea is going to develop and Our Barley has a lovely mix of characteristics – sweet, fruity and malty with a delicious vibrancy. It is also pitched at a good price, which is another important factor for a good core product.