DRINK : Review of Lochlea Whisky Distillery, Ayrshire, Scotland
You’re excused if you haven’t heard about Lochlea Whisky Distillery. A Lowland Whisky distillery located in Ayrshire; close to Troon and about 30 minutes from Glasgow.
This gorgeous wee whisky distillery has remained under the radar whilst they they were creating their whisky. They weren’t like so many newborn distilleries where they had to produce gin for the first 3 years just to keep the doors open whilst the new make spirit became whisky.
REVIEW OF LOCHLEA WHISKY DISTILLERY, AYRSHIRE, SCOTLAND
UNDER THE RADAR
The move to remain top secret was intentional as it allowed the distillery manager and his team to really concentrate on making whisky; making the best whisky and ensuring that at every point in the process was as good as it could be. This has meant that three years have slipped by without us hearing a peep from them; but now we hear them, they are shouting right across their barleys fields, as they have released their first whiskies.
FROM BURNS TO BARLEY
I’m sure many of us have heard of Rabbie Burns, Scotlands Bard. Well this use to be his family farm and these are the lands that Rabbie would have tended to and lived on. He spent his formative years, 1777-1784, on this very farm. Lochlea do acknowledge this connection but it isn’t the story that they lead with. It’s the whisky that takes centre stage!
The barley fields grow all around Lochlea Farm and its the only barley that is used to make their whisky. They have their own water source and plenty of space - these are definitely the top three ingredients for making superb whisky!
Lochlea’s ethos is small batch, paying attention to detail to ensure a whisky for drinking and not just admiring. They consistently produce a slowly extracted, crystal clear wort, with two specifically selected yeasts and longer fermentation for an ester-laden wash.
Slowly run distillation and a high narrow spirit cut result in an exceptionally elegant and fruity spirit which has the ability to mature relatively quickly.
To date Lochlea have released 3 bottles with their Inaugural Release having only come out in January/February this year.
LOCHLEA FIRST RELEASE
This is matured in a combination of first-fill Bourbon and Pedro Ximénez casks. Non-chill-filtered and bottled at natural colour too. The bottle features tyre tracks inspired by those seen around the distillery. Overseen by Malcolm Rennie, who has many years of experience working with the likes of Kilchoman, Bruichladdich and Ardbeg. This first release is batch of 7,000 bottles, bottled at 46% ABV.
LOCHLEA SOWING EDITION
This is Lochlea’s new range annual series of limited seasonal bottlings. This is 'Sowing Season; First Crop'. which depicts Spring, a time for new grown when they start to sow the first seeds for the years barley production. It’s matured in first-fill Bourbon casks, bottled without chill-filteration and natural colour.
LOCHLEA OUR BARLEY
This barley is the ongoing core single malt expression, which sits alongside with seasonal limited editions. Carefully honed this recipe, and with combination of bourbon, sherry and STR casks there is a whole new level of depth and complexity to the final whisky.
All three whiskies are rather delicious and very easy drinking. Hard to choose a favourite, so instead we bought all three!
Many thanks to Patrick for giving myself, Colin (WhiskyForager and Tipsy Midgie Whisky & Gin Bar) and Justine (Kask Whisky) a private tour of the distillery. We loved it!