Lochlea

Manufacturing Lochlea

The hole is vividly depicted on Blaeu's 1654 map, and it is slightly smaller than Fail Loch - less than half the size. The loch can be seen on Roy's 1747 map, which also has a "Lochleehill" on it. Thomson writes down a "punchable". The associated mill was abandoned in 1842 when drainage works were carried out and the area was turned into fertile land. Early Ordnance Survey maps show the area as well drained; currently, however, drainage is insufficient and the area is once again becoming a seasonal hole. It began in the 19th century when Alexander Montgomerie, 10th Earl of Eglinton made various agricultural improvements to his vast estates and other landowners did the same. However, it is possible that drainage work began as early as the 1740s as part of improvements made to help Irish farm workers during the Irish potato famines of the 1740s and mid 19th century. Many drainage schemes also date to the end of the First World War when a large number of soldiers returned to civilian life. As Robert and Gilbert Burns produced flax and may have used the lake as a flax roasting facility for processing the flax, the lake may well have survived into the Burns family period. lochlea whiskey; The production of Lochlea Single Malt Scotch Whiskey has been a lovingly executed job for years. There are no shortcuts here. Everything we do, from our hardwood sinks to our on-site shelving, aims to create the best vibe possible. Forget what you thought you knew about Lowland whisky; Lochlea is unique. Using our own barley, produced exclusively for Lochlea, the long fermentation and careful determination of the cut points result in a new brew that is graceful beyond its years and bursting with fruit trees.

As an independent, family-owned distillery, we are able to be inventive, flexible and responsive in the small-batch whiskey production process, which is now uncommon in our industry.

Thanks to our barley grown on the farm and our on-site water source, we can fully trace the ingredients that go into our process. This allows us to exercise a higher level of quality control and develop a flavor profile that is unique to Lochlea. The best of both worlds is available at their location. We are close to many of Scotland's largest cities, yet in the heart of Ayrshire surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside. Glasgow is 30 minutes away if you drive north and other quaint beach villages lie along the coast if you drive west.

Lochlea barrel

There is disagreement about the exact proportion of cask aging in the taste of a whiskey. Others estimate it at up to 75%. It is undeniable that choosing the right casks is important. We are fortunate to have a great new spirit here, but when it comes to development there are many ways to shape its personality. At Lochlea we buy our casks direct from the maker, whether it's first-fill bourbon casks from Maker's Mark in Kentucky or freshly shipped sherry casks from Jerez. We want to guarantee the purity and freshness of these casks when they are bottled here.

In addition to the conventional bourbon and sherry casks, we also mature a large number of experimental casks. This gives our team the opportunity to explore the interactions between the spirit of Lochlea and different barrel types, such as ex-Laphroaig quarters and ex-Cabernet Sauvignon casks.

Lochlea Sowing Edition

With aromas of green apple peel, pear drops and custard cream, the Sowing Edition is the ideal whiskey for spring. On the palate it shows vanilla sweetness, orchard fruit and hazelnuts and the finish is fruity and sweet. Lochlea Whiskey is an authentic Ayrshire Dram as it is made from barley grown close to the distillery. A single malt called Sowing Edition was matured in Maker's Mark first-fill bourbon casks for an indefinite period. Although there is no age statement, Scottish law requires the whiskey to be aged for at least three years to be considered Scotch. The distillery produced their first distillate in 2018, so we know it's three to four years old. Sowing Edition First Crop is non-chill filtered, naturally colored and bottled at 48% ABV (96°). The suggested retail price for a 700ml case is $69.99.

tasting notes

When you pour Sowing Edition straight into your Glencairn glass, it looks like straw. Sticky droplets with a central ring stuck to the wall. Smell: The green apple mentioned by John Campbell is undeniable. It quickly got up my nose. Combinations of vanilla and toasted wood were followed by hints of cinnamon. As I drew a breath through my lips, all I could hear was the apple.

Palate: A thin, oily texture with pear, nutmeg and more green apple to the fore. Oatmeal, hazelnut and mocha make up the middle part, while vanilla, toasted oak and cinnamon spice make up the back part.

Finish: The long lasting and slightly tannic finish contained notes of cinnamon, clove, toasted oak, hints of oatmeal and hints of vanilla. Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Lowland Scotches are not known for bold flavors. And yet Lochlea resists this call. Both the Sowing Edition and the First Release contained these. Not only do I respect Lochlea for releasing their distillate, but I was very happy with what I drank. Lochlea has something special to offer and I'm happy to tip my hat and crown the Sowing Edition with my Bottle Rating.

Lochlea new release

Lochlea is one of the youngest companies in the industry. Since August 2018, a spirit has been quietly produced and matured, which will be launched in January 2022 as Lochlea First Release. John Campbell, a seasoned industry professional and former Laphroaig executive, has served as Production Manager and Master Blender of Lochlea since November 2021. Robert Burns originally lived on property in the Lowlands where Lochlea Distillery is now located. Similar to Daftmill, the family-run operation grows and harvests its barley while feeding draff to its livestock on site. The only distillery that does everything on-site is Lochlea, which is one of the largest and also sets up their malting facility. Both Pedro Ximénez sherry and first-fill bourbon casks were used to craft this first batch. From mid-2022, further types of whiskey are to be added. Freshly cut yellow apples and peaches with nice malty aromas can be recognized on the nose. Hazelnut and muesli flavors with a quick nuttiness. It comes with the expected vanilla cookies, but not too many. A light earthy or floral note can be seen in the background. Although the mood is much lighter, it kinda reminds me of the early Daftmill albums. Mouth: Not quite as impressive as youth is more evident. There is a generous amount of grainy notes along with a peppery bite and some spicy bourbon wood. a preserved note. black pepper. More caramel sweetness, orange and a hint of toffee appear in the mid-palate. After that, the taste becomes drier and saltier.

Finish: short and unobtrusive. Almost no fruit, but spice and barley notes.

Location Lochlea