Lochlea Distillery launches first ever core series of whiskies:

-introducing The Lochlea Single Estate Range-

Lochlea – the award-winning farm-to-cask distillery in the heart of Ayrshire – is proud to unveil its first permanent core range of single malts, to sit alongside the much-celebrated Our Barley: The Lochlea Single Estate Range.

Following the acclaimed success of its limited edition seasonal releases, the new lineup of whiskies marks a milestone in Lochlea’s journey, offering whisky-lovers a flavour-rich, characterful selection curated entirely on-site from field to cask, available on a permanent basis this autumn.

All of the new expressions are distilled from 100% barley grown on Lochlea Farm, then matured and married on-site at the distillery. This new range reflects not just provenance to its  Ayrshire home, but a commitment to transparency, sustainability, and world-class quality that Lochlea has come to be known for since being founded in 2017.

Lochlea’s master blender Jill Boyd said: “Our new Single Estate Range marks an evolution from our limited, seasonal releases – reflecting both the growing maturity of our stock, our confidence in the distillery and our ability to continue to create consistent, beautiful spirit all onsite here. With access to a wide variety of mature stocks and the cask consistency needed to create a full core series, now felt like the ideal time to embrace the opportunity to put this range together. We aim to root each whisky in the character and creativity of our earlier seasonal expressions, but designed to offer something a little more:  classic much-loved whisky styles with a distinctive Lochlea twist – on a permanent basis.”

The new range comprises: Orchard & Oak, Dark Briar and Smoke without Fire, that will sit alongside the existing core whisky, Our Barley.  Each of these whiskies represents a distinct side of the Lochlea house style, together forming a cohesive collection built on whiskies which define the distillery.

Jill continued: “These components aim to provide structure and variety, while the Lochlea character, fruit-forward with a delicate ribbon of cereal, runs through each expression. The introduction of our three new core expressions to stand alongside Our Barley helps creates a rounder collection of whiskies, individually compelling, yet unmistakably part of the same family. We hope people will enjoy exploring every dram across the range!” 

A closer look at The Lochlea Single Estate Range: 

Orchard & Oak:

A bright, fruit-driven single malt with a grassy freshness and layered sweetness.

Cask Types: matured in a combination of first-fill Bourbon, Virgin American Oak, and Calvados casks.

Tasting Notes:
Nose – Fresh green apple, cut grass, light floral notes
Palate – Apple cake, buttery caramel, grassy and oaky spice
Finish – Sweet oak, cereal, soft citrus lift

ABV: 46% and non-chill filtered

Dark Briar:

A bold and indulgent expression, matured in rich fortified wine casks for depth and complexity.

Cask Types:  matured in a combination of Pedro Ximénez, Oloroso sherry butts, and Port casks.

Tasting Notes:
Nose – Juicy red berries, vanilla caramel, baking spices
Palate – Cherries, stewed plums, ginger cake, warming tannins
Finish – Long, rich, with velvety spice and lingering red fruit

ABV: 46% and non-chill filtered

Smoke Without Fire:

A delicately peated whisky that balances subtle smoke with fruit and floral elegance.

Cask Types: matured in a combination of ex-peated refill Bourbon barrels and red wine casks.

Tasting Notes:
Nose – Red berries, cherry blossom, soft bonfire smoke
Palate – Light citrus, salted smoke, bonfire char, floral sweetness
Finish – Soft phenols, toasted oak, subtle sherbet

ABV: 46% and non-chill filtered

The range also includes the existing Our Barley single malt: 

Tasting Notes:

Nose – Pear syrup, fruit bon bons, warm cut grass, marmalade

Palate – Golden syrup, pepper, rye bread, macadamia nuts, cream soda

Finish – Long finish with a lasting orange beeswax note

ABV: 46% and non-chill filtered.

All of the new expressions will be available from 4^th September 2025, RRP: £50 per 70cl bottle. Stockists include whisky specialists and independent retailers across the UK and in over 30 international markets.

The Lochlea team will also be previewing the new range with drop-in tastings in key accounts across the UK for trade and consumers, kicking off on Monday 1^st September in Glasgow, Tuesday 2^nd September in Edinburgh then onto London on 4^th September, followed by Bristol and Manchester on 5^th and 6^th September.

For more information, please visit: www.lochleadistillery.com or email  info@lochleadistillery.com.

LOCHLEA 

Lochlea was originally a 222 acre livestock farm before being purchased by Neil and Jen McGeoch in 2006. After much consideration of the future of the farm and a successful trial to grow its own barley in 2015, the couple transformed the land and existing farm buildings into a fully-operational distillery in 2017 and started distilling the following year. The farming side has remained a unique part of Lochlea, with the move into barley production – paving the way for Lochlea to be one of the very few fully grain-to-cask distilleries in Scotland. It also has a rich Scottish heritage with strong links to Robbie Burns, with the bard having worked and lived on the farm for several years.

Whisky Situation takes over former CASC Bar in Aberdeen City Center.

After the whisky bar had been in operation as CASC for 10 Years, the bar closed down citing covid & endless construction works in Aberdeen as the nails in the coffin.

Whisky Situation, a newer retailer in the industry, has taken over the bar adding 200 more whiskies to the shelves & removing 12 of the craft beer taps to make way for straight from cask whisky as it ages in the barrels.

Regular events are now run at the bar aiding in the regeneration of Aberdeen City centre.

The CASC store on King Street has also been taken over by the company.

The bar boasts single cask Japanese whiskies & other rare releases as well as cigars, Cuban & New World for smoking on site up on the terrace.

The bar is situated 2 minutes from the train station on 7 Stirling Street.

WHISKY SITUATION

Whisky Situation Aberdeen is the largest whisky & cigar bar in Aberdeen. Over 600 different whiskies to sample including Chichibu, Yamazaki, Rare Bourbon, Islay varieties, Glenfarclas Family Casks & hard to obtain whisky that are not often opened. We believe whisky is for drinking and will always keep the range exciting, different, ever changing & low priced.

Our Dram price for Yamazaki 18 Year Old starts with a 4! Not a 6 or 7. You will always spend less money with Whisky Situation compared to any other establishment worldwide.

Our selection of cigars include Cohiba, Hoyo De Monterey, H Upmann, Romeo y Julieta, AJ Fernandez, Alec Bradley, Black Market, Montecristo, Punch De Punch, Partagas, Olivia and much more!

Whisky Situation was born to be the most competitive whisky retailer with the largest selection of hard to obtain, rare, single cask, obscure and newly released whisky. As drinkers, we understand exactly what others love, and with a huge passion and thirst (no pun) for new varieties, we also operate out of Aberdeen with the largest whisky bar & shop with the largest selection. 

Established in 2023, we already carry more than 2500 different whiskies including Single Malts, Blended Malts, Blended Whisky, Rye, Bourbon, Liqueurs & anything else we can expand to. We work directly with distilleries and independent bottlers to showcase their ranges of products including our own exclusives. 

We also operate in Europe with partner bars, establishments, restaurants with our venues expanding to other territories and countries. 

Our YouTube Channel contains filming at whisky festivals, events, tastings, product reviews & documentaries. As time passes we will expand our content to cover much more of worldwide events including USA, Japan, Europe and many others that we attend. Guest appearances from musicians, comedians & industry experts are a regular with us. 

Whatever your preference or flavour profile, we have something for you in all price ranges and ages catering from 3 Year Old Japanese Chichibu & Mars releases to 50 Year Old + bottles from long established distilleries.

Our newest Creators Collection is here. Tales of the Worm Tub: Celebrating the bold, the rich, and the robust offers three unique takes on this old-school approach to whisky making. This collection will transport you back in time to experience a different era of Scotch whisky distillation as whisky quality manager, Julien Willems explores in his article in Unfiltered.

BUY THE COLLECTION

READ THE STORY

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Woodrow’s of Edinburgh

North British 46 Years Old

ABV: 53.1% 70 cL

Compass Box Bespoke Culver & Sepulveda + 5th & Harrison + Secrets of Smoke Limited Edition Pack

(3x700ml) (Previously $500)

$380.00

View

Very rarely are we able to find such significant upside for our wonderful scotch customers as this outrageous deal. As it turns out, there are still incredible deals to be had if you can find the right way to ask. This nifty little pack represents a nearly $140 value and the ONLY way to secure a bottle of the final 5th & Harrison’s on the market today. With it you’ll also receive Compass Box’s “Secrets of Smoke” a 2024 limited edition blended malt that challenges assumptions about peated Scotch, revealing layers of fruit and sweetness beneath the smoke. Bottled at 52% ABV, with natural color and no chill-filtration, using carefully selected parcels from Caol Ila, Laphroaig, Bowmore, and Ardmore. Wine and sherry-seasoned casks bring out a striking spectrum of flavors: Caol Ila in Palo Cortado sherry butts offers oily smoke, toffee, and sultana; Laphroaig in Marsala barriques delivers medicinal peat, blueberry jam, and dates; Bowmore in refill bourbon barrels adds floral peat and mango; Ardmore in sherry hogsheads brings heather honey, barbecue, and gentle florals. A portion of The Peat Monster finished in Spanish red wine casks contributes nutty, smoky, and bright cherry notes, while recharred American oak parcels add charred herbs, pineapple, and leather. Crafted by former lead whiskymaker James Saxon. With a bottle of Culver & Sepulveda – the famous blend of old Bowmore, Caol Ila, Sherried Glendullan that goes into the 5th and Harrison – and you’ve got one heck of a deal.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Glen Scotia unveils 12 Year Old single malt celebrating distillery’s bold Campbeltown character

Multi-award winning Campbeltown distillery Glen Scotia is introducing a new 12-year-old single malt whisky into its portfolio, placing its signature style and maritime influence centre stage.

Hailing from Scotland’s smallest whisky-making region, the new flagship Glen Scotia 12 Year Old is a bold yet classic addition to the core range. Bringing the unmistakably rich and coastal notes Glen Scotia is renowned for, the new single malt will join the distillery’s prized 10, 15, 18 and 25-year-old aged expressions.

Once known as the Victorian whisky capital of the world, Campbeltown has seen a renaissance in recent years, with Glen Scotia’s resilience at the heart of the region’s whisky revival.

Fully matured in the finest first-fill bourbon casks for vibrant depth and richness of flavour under the watchful eyes of Glen Scotia’s small expert team, the 12-year-old puts the distillery’s big Campbeltown character in the spotlight.

Glen Scotia’s meticulous attention to the small details which contribute to the quality, style and flavour of its whisky has resulted in a single malt with bursts of tropical fruit, balanced by the distillery’s well-loved maritime notes.

This new whisky opens with fresh sea air, honeyed vanilla and hints of exotic tropical fruit on the nose. On the palate, wonderful layers of caramelised sugar, tangy citrus and vibrant pineapple are balanced with subtle toasted oak and a long warming finish.

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old is presented in striking royal blue and chalk white packaging, with its design taking inspiration from the distillery’s iconic blue dunnage warehouse door and exterior wall.

This bold new colourway launches in tandem with Glen Scotia’s new brand identity which will be rolled out across all of its communications and is rooted in the distillery’s bold and resilient character, and pride in its small-town craftsmanship and heritage.

Iain McAlister, Master Distiller and Distillery Manager, of Glen Scotia said: “Located in the historic whisky-making region of Campbeltown on the Kintyre Peninsula, our distillery has an illustrious past and rich history with our story beginning in 1832.

“The Glen Scotia 12 Year Old is a bold new classic that will become the heart of our core range, representing our signature style and offering whisky lovers a true taste of Campbeltown.

“Campbeltown is the smallest whisky-producing region, where our small team use uniquely small stills to craft our whiskies with big Campbeltown flavours that have made big waves across the world. The new 12-year-old is quintessentially Glen Scotia – from the royal blue and chalk white packaging referencing our dunnage door and exterior wall, to the bold Campbeltown character within, bursting with tropical fruit flavours that are perfectly balanced with our maritime influence.”

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old is 46% ABV, natural in colour and non-chill filtered. It will retail for £45 and is available exclusively on glenscotia.com, at Glen Scotia Distillery’s Visitor Centre in Campbeltown, and through The Whisky Shop.

For more information on Glen Scotia 12 Year Old visit: www.glenscotia.com

Tasting notes

Nose: Fresh sea air, honeyed vanilla and hints of exotic tropical fruit.

Palate: Layers of caramelised sugar, tangy citrus and vibrant pineapple, balanced by subtle toasted oak.

Finish: Long and warming with gentle notes of cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg spice.

About Glen Scotia

Distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of three surviving distilleries in the town.

Producing peated and non-peated whiskies, the distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the stillroom and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s. To this day, the distillery team follow in the footsteps of their founders, using traditional methods, carefully creating the subtly maritime Campbeltown style the brand has become world-famous for.

Recognition of Glen Scotia’s style and craftsmanship continues to be acknowledged globally.

• In 2021, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old single malt was awarded ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Over 3,800 entries across thirty-one categories were judged with Glen Scotia being awarded the overall winner across all countries and styles. Only seven months later, Glen Scotia was also named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2021.
• In 2022, Glen Scotia’s Victoriana won ‘Best In Class’ in the Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• In 2023, Glen Scotia won ‘Best Single Cask Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards for a single cask bottling distilled in 2009 and aged for 13 years exclusively in a first-fill bourbon barrel.
• Later that same year, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old won a coveted Platinum award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, which is awarded to the very few entries that receive a Double Gold medal for three consecutive years at the prestigious global event.
• In 2024, Glen Scotia received a number of prestigious awards across its range of single malt whiskies, including Platinum titles at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024 for both Glen Scotia Victoriana and Glen Scotia 25 Year Old.

Book a space on our FREE OPEN DAY DISTILLERY TOURS:

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The Grand Whisky Auction is now LIVE!

The auction closes on Tuesday, 2nd September 2025 from 9:00pm (BST)

________________________________

Are you interested in selling whisky in our next auction?

📞 +44 (0)1463 210 427

📧 sales@tgwa.com

Cask Collection No.77

Saturday 6th September from 2pm – 3.30pm

Hosted by Max Maartense from A. D. Rattray

Join us in our tasting room and try our latest Cask Collection release. This is the first exclusive chance to try these single cask whiskies before they are available anywhere else.

Take a seat in our tasting room and let your host Max take you through a tasting of 5 single cask whiskies. He will explain the reasons why we selected each cask for this collection, what makes each of these individual casks special and the journey we have taken them on over their years of maturation.

Highlights include an Annandale Peated 10 Year Old Bourbon Barrel, Dalmore 12 Year Old 1st Fill Bourbon Barrel and an Invergordon Grain 18 Year Old Bourbon Hogshead.

BUY TICKETS

The Good Dram Show – Episode 606 ‘Indie Ardbeg’

Welcome to this week’s episode of the show in which I’ll be sharing an unexpected box find with you! The Good Dram Show with Chris Goodrum Episode 606 – An Extraordinary Box Find…! Filmed in The Study Nottingham

 Featuring

Duncan Taylor Rare Auld Ardbeg 1993 (15 year old) 58.9% www.duncantaylor.com

Dewar Rattray ‘Individual Cask Bottling’ Ardbeg 1993 (20 year old) 57.2% www.adrattray.com

Hunter Laing Old & Rare Ardbeg 1991 (21 year old) 56.4% Hunter Laing Old & Rare Ardbeg 1991 (22 year old) 55.8% hunterlaing.com/range/old-rare/

Mackillop’s Choice Ardbeg 1993 (21 year old) 54.3% www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/mackillopschoice.htm