Cask-Strength Batch 2 reveals another side to

Lochlea’s award-winning spirit

Award-winning Ayrshire distillery, Lochlea, will be revealing its second cask strength whisky on 10^th June, just in time for Father’s Day – the perfect dram for those looking for a bolder version of the farm-to-cask distillery’s much celebrated single malt whisky.

Cask Strength Batch 2 follows last year’s launch of the distillery’s first ever cask strength bottling, released to show whisky lovers how the Lochlea house spirit tastes at a higher ABV.

Batch 2 differs from last year’s release – not only is it older, but this year’s bottling uses a cask make-up that the distillery has never shown before: Pedro Xímenez (PX) (60%) and Oloroso (28%) sherry butts, as well as STR barriques (12%). The various cask profiles give the whisky a weightier, peppery European Oak finish.

Each cask brings a different dimension to the final vatting: the Oloroso brings a creamy, dry and fruity character, the STR casks offer a spice and depth and the PX gives an interesting and unique sweet mustiness to the spirit.

Bottled at 60% ABV, this limited edition whisky is one of the oldest Lochlea whiskies to be released, with the majority of the liquid being five years old alongside a small amount of four year old spirit. The five year old spirit in the bottling also adds a fuller complexity to the final whisky.

John Campbell, Lochlea’s Production Director said: “Last year’s Cask Strength exceeded expectations for a 4-year-old, setting a high standard. With Batch 2 this year, we’ve once again surpassed expectations. This whisky packs a punch, showcasing a complexity greater than the sum of its parts.”

“Cask Strength Batch 1 had lovely layers of fresh, tropical fruit. Batch 2 has less of the signature Lochlea green apple dominance, but will have more weight to it, with a floral, lively palate and peppery European Oak finish. Batch 2 will feel bigger and bolder than Batch 1, making it an interesting dram to explore.”

Lochlea Cask Strength Batch 2 will be available from 10th June, RRP: £66.50 – the perfect special gift for Father’s Day this year.

Lochlea Cask Strength Batch 2

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Apples, peach syrup, marmalade

Palate: Wild lavender, rose petals

Finish: Black pepper, dried fruit, hints of apple and pear 

For a full list of Lochlea stockists, visit: Lochlea Distillery stockists

About Lochlea Distillery:

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 a several years.

Lochlea Distillery has recently won the following awards:

– Icons of Whisky Scotland 2024: Single Estate and Brand Innovator

– Icons of Whisky 2023: Single Estate Distillery of the Year

– San Francisco Spirits Competition 2023: Our Barley – GOLD

– Las Vegas Global Spirits Competition 2023: Our Barley – GOLD

– Scottish Field Summer Whisky Challenge 2023: Distilleries under 10 Years Old – GOLD

– Scottish Field Summer Challenge Awards 2024: Distilleries under 10 Years Old AND £50- £100 whiskies: GOLD for Fallow Edition (Second Crop)