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 saw the first bottling released in 2023.
The Ploughing Edition is the only Lochlea to show any smoky characteristics. This is due to 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.
As a small farm-to-cask independent distillery growing all of our own barley here on the farm, it’s been imperative for us to talk about the importance of the land, the seasons and the farming calendar and the effect this has on our spirits.
The seasonal Releases has showcased just how our spirits can evolve and change, influenced by the time of year and what profile of whisky we are looking to create to bring out the best of that season.
Jill Boyd – Master Blender, Lochlea
The Lochlea Distilling Co. was founded in 2015 by Neil McGeoch. Located near Kilmarnock, he converted the 300 year old Lochlea Farm from beef production to growing barley for whisky making. He had taken over the farm several years earlier in 2006 but decided to diversify and make the farm more profitable. The distillery is in the old piggery with two cattle sheds repurposed as maturation warehouses.
The independent family-owned distillery has an annual production capacity of 200,000 litres. Production began in late-2017 with the Lochlea First Release launching several years later in early 2022. One of keys to their success is that all barley used for whisky production is grown on the farm. This equates to 600 tonnes per annum and makes them one of the only distilleries in Scotland to grown all of their own barley.
Lochlea Ploughing Edition (Third Crop) is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. The whisky will be available in selected specialist retailers in selected world markets. Please check the Lochlea website for stockists. A bottle will cost £51.50.
Our Tasting Notes
This Lochlea Ploughing Edition is pale gold in colour. The nose is malty and fruity with a gentle wisp of smoke. The fruitiness present is tart Granny Smith apples, gooseberry, and a hint of rhubarb. There is an added zestiness of fresh lemon and lime juice. Floral notes of wildflowers plus sweet notes of runny honey and white chocolate bring added dimensions. The smoke comes across as bonfire ash with coastal salinity and minerality.
On the palate this whisky feels bright and uplifting with a lovely creaminess. The green apple is again prominent and is complimented by hints of rhubarb and ginger, plus a liquorice sweetness. Further sweetness comes in the form of butterscotch, runny honey and a pinch of icing sugar towards the end. Hints of marshmallow and white chocolate add further depth.
The adopted peat smoke takes charge in the second half. It is never far away but comes through well now. There is a chalky minerality with some white pepper sitting alongside the smoke. There are bonfire embers and ash with a suggestion of an acrid, medicinal quality. This is reminiscent of dried seaweed and moss with a hint of iodine. Notes of burnt oat cookies and cloves also come through towards the end.
The finish is of good length. The fruity and sweet elements slowly fade, while the smoke and spices linger. A zesty hit of lemon sherbet comes through right at the end, as does some herbal green characteristics. A hint of fresh rocket, dill and tarrogon takes you back to the initial liquorice-like note at the beginning.
What’s The Verdict?
This whisky is delicious and presents a palate of thirds. It has a very clear beginning, middle and end, and takes you on a journey. A whisky that is part of a series such should do this., First, it is green and young with minerals and a delicate sweetness evolving. Then it is the turn of malty and smoky notes, and finally more delicate sweetness and other fruit. The adopted smoke from the ex-Islay cask plays its part and compliments the brightness of the spirit.
The seasonal range has been an interesting series to introduce Lochlea to the world. The multi-dimensional approach of pushing their spirit in different directions has allowed each season to have its own personality. It will be interesting to see what happens next, especially with series ending and with a new Master Blender in the house.
