Review | Lochlea Single Estate Range

Three new bottlings signal the first ever core range of single malts from the Lowland distillery of Lochlea. The Lochlea Single Estate Range will feature the three new whiskies, which will sit alongside Lochlea’s flagship Our Barley expression. The news follows a series of acclaimed small batch seasonal releases. The new whiskies have been created by Jill Boyd, the Master Blender at Lochlea. All are distilled from 100% barley grown on Lochlea Farm.

Each of the whiskies represents a distinct side of the Lochlea house style. Together they form a cohesive collection which define the distillery. The three new expressions are named Orchard & Oak, Dark Briar and Smoke Without Fire. All are non-chill filtered and of natural colour.

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.

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Our Tasting Notes

Lochlea Orchard & Oak

First-fill ex-bourbon, virgin American oak, and ex-Calvados casks | 46% | £50

The colour is pale gold and the nose is bright, green and fresh. Aromas of crisp green apple, honey and white peach rise first and are quickly backed up by some robust malty cereals. White chocolate and vanilla custard follow, with a pinch of cinnamon and white pepper.

On the palate this whisky feels vibrant and lively. The green vibe remains – think of crisp green apple again, plus poached pear and a hint of freshly cut grass. Runny honey and malted biscuit notes sit underneath and support well. There are also hints of cocoa powder, white chocolate and apple bubblegum. The vanilla custard note evolves and gives a distinct creamy quality that cuts through the freshness. Pinches of powdered ginger, cinnamon and white pepper also come through. The finish is on the shorter side, but is refreshing with a pleasant peppery warmth.

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Lochlea Dark Briar

Ex-Pedro Ximénez, ex-Oloroso sherry butts, and ex-Port casks | 46% | £50

The colour is a dark coppery amber and the nose is rich, sweet and brooding. Luscious aromas of dark dried fruits, especially raisin and prune, sit alongside some caramelised baked apple and a hint of ripe peach. Dark chocolate, baking spices and hazelnut praline sit underneath, with a hint of molasses.

On the palate this whisky feels rich, bold and decadent. It is almost syrupy in texture with the dark dried fruits to the fore – the raisin and prune are prominent, plus some bramble jam and a suggestion of candied orange or marmalade. Golden syrup and treacle sponge tart add further sweetness. The dark chocolate note is back and supports a robust biscuity note well. Toasted walnut and sugared almond add depth, plus a little bittersweet feel. There are hints of cocoa powder and menthol right at the end. The finish is of decent length with the richer elements dragging it out nicely.

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Lochlea Smoke Without Fire

Ex-peated re-fill bourbon barrels and ex-red wine casks | 46% | £50

The colour is bright gold and the nose is confected, malty and elegantly smoky. Biscuity malt and vanilla sugar aromas lift from the glass and are joined by the gentle smoke. This has an ashy minerality to it and wisps around everything. Some white chocolate, green apple and twist of lemon zest also evolve.

On the palate this whisky is sweet and confected but with ashy bonfire smoke. Fairground toffee apple and white chocolate rise first, followed by some runny honey and sticky toffee pudding. Hints of vanilla pod, green apple and eucalyptus accentuate this. The robust malty character adds condsiderable structure and maintains the biscuit-like quality. The smoke, while never dominating, is never far away and wisps around everything. There is a medicinal hint to it, and a touch of salinity. The finish is long and becomes more drying and smoky with time. A late pinch of white pepper enhances this feeling.

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What’s The Verdict?

We are delighted to see that Lochlea finally have a core range. Their limited editions and small batches have been good and shown lots of promise, but we always believe that a core range is what a distillery is truky judged on. They are the whiskies that most people will buy in reality. Our Barley has been around for a couple of years and is a fine whisky. Now it has three more playmates. Which is our favourite? It is difficult to say – they all have plenty going for them.

What is interesting with the three new whiskies is that they have pushed their distinctive spirit in three differing directions. Each has been hinted at in previous limited bottlings, but now they have fully committed. The signature green orchard fruit and robust maltiness endure throughout. Orchard & Oak accentuates the green fruit and Dark Briar the rich maltiness. It also shows that while light and bright, the spirit can handle full ex-sherry maturation well. The introduction of peat smoke, not from the malt but ore subtley from the cask, also seems a master stroke and has been integrated very nicely.