Once upon a time, the Scottish Lowlands were replete with many whisky distilleries which then dwindled to nearly none – including the loss of the remarkable Rosebank. Before 2000, there were only two active distilleries – Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie. However step by step, distillery by distillery, there has been an awakening – from the revival of older discontinued distilleries like Blandanoch and Little Mill, joined by Kingsbarns, Annandale, Alisa Bay (from Girvain), and more recently, the entry of Lindores Abbey.

The benefit of being at a whisky show is an opportunity to check out new players. This was certainly possible at London’s Whisky Show 2023, providing the perfect opportunity to explore a new entry from the Scottish Lowlands. Lochlea is a family-run, growing their own barley and experimenting with different casks and expressions. We began with their core expression, then explored their season’s quartet, and closed with their cask strength. 

Lochlea “Our Barley” Single Malt 46%

Their core range is from barley from their Lochlea Farm – hence the name “Our Barley”. It is a trip cask with STR hogsheads, 1st fill Bourbon, and Oloroso Sherry.

On the nose, we were greeted with a delicious sweetness, apples, and pears joined by red berries, something fresh like a meadow, and yoghurt. On the palate, it was equally sweet, yet with a few other elements thrown in, lightly nutty. Overall we found it young, bright and balanced, an easy-drinking and enjoyable dram. 

We then moved on to their limited edition seasonal range with:

• Lochlea “Sowing Edition” 2nd Crop (2023) 46%


• Lochlea “Harvest Edition” 2nd Crop (2023) 46%


• Lochlea “Fallow Edition” 1st Crop (2023) 46%


• Lochlea “Ploughing Edition” 1st Crop (2023) 46%

Starting with the “Sowing Edition” with 1st Fill ex-Bourbon Barrels, it was fresh and spring-like, with apples and pears on the nose, and equally light on the palate. Nothing complicated or challenging, just bright and fun. The green label was chosen to reflect the green of spring.

We then explored the “Harvest Edition”, which was a combination of Port, STR barriques, and ex-bourbon barrels. Toasted malt and raspberries, then strawberry jam, like an Eton mess with a hint of spice. The reddish label harkens to the late summer sunset after harvest.

After that, we shifted gears to the “Fallow Edition” with 1st Fill Olorosso butts. Now this was more our style – big, bold sherry aromas yet also nicely balanced – lots of dark red berries, dried fruits, malty, and baked goods. A rich purple label reflects the shift to fall with the colourful falling leaves. 

The seasonal series closed with winter and peat with the “Ploughing Edition” using ex-Islay (Laphroaig) Barrels combined with peated quarter casks. There was a freshness to even this dram. On the nose, it was just a puff of peat smoke layering on top of orchard fruits. On the palate, the peat was significantly more pronounced, joining stewed apples and nuts. As for the label this time? The colour is an icy blue label for the frosty cold of winter.

We finished with the Lochlea Single Malt Cask Strength Batch 1 (2023) 60.1%

This was one that caught our attention. At Cask Strength, you could really see the influence of the casks – 1st fill bourbon with Oloroso. It was big with dark fruits, coffee and nutty. Yum.

As we discussed the range and approach – at that young, experimental stage – testing the waters to see what works. After sampling them all, we tended to prefer the core expression, the “Harvest Edition” and Cask Strength. All were fleeting impressions however an interesting start…

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