Lochlea unveils second Red Wine Cask Release for summer 2026
Ayrshire, Scotland – Launching 28th May 2026
Family-owned Lochlea Distillery in Ayrshire is proud to announce the launch of its second annual Red Wine Cask release, arriving on 28th May. Building on the success of the inaugural edition launched last year, this latest expression marks the second instalment in a vibrant and evolving wine cask series, showcasing the farm-to-cask distillery’s innovative approach to cask management. It sits alongside Lochlea’s core Single Estate range, a permanent collection of single malts launched in summer 2025.
The Red Wine Cask series is an annual limited-edition release inspired by the art of finishing mature spirit in carefully selected red wine casks from different wine-making regions. Each year introduces a distinct expression, shaped by the character of the wine casks chosen to complement Lochlea’s signature house style, with just a limited number of bottles being available.
For this second release – Red Wine Cask 2026 – Lochlea has taken whisky initially matured in first-fill Bourbon barrels and finished it in carefully chosen Sangiovese wine casks from Tuscany, Italy. The result is a rich and velvety dram, offering layers of sweetness and complexity. On the nose, expect red berries, baked apples, and notes of honey with gentle spice. The palate delivers a creamy texture with abundant red berry and nutty flavours, leading to a finish defined by soft spice and a pleasant oakiness.
Notably, Lochlea is one of only two Scotch distilleries to grow its own barley on-site. Every stage of production – from field to cask – is carried out at the distillery in Ayrshire. This end-to-end control ensures exceptional quality, provenance and a distinctive house character across all releases.
Darren McCormick, Lochlea’s distillery manager said: “Our latest Red Wine Cask expression deepens our signature style with this type of cask, building on the 2025 release that was finished in Grenache casks from the south of France. We want to set the tone for our future releases in the series, whilst reinforcing our commitment to flavour exploration and creating limited edition whiskies that perfectly complement our core range.”
Lochlea Red Wine Cask #2 Product Details:
- Matured in first-fill Bourbon barrels, finished in Sangiovese wine casks
- 46% ABV
- Natural colour
- Non-chill filtered
With its balance of sweetness, spice and fruit-forward richness, the second Red Wine Cask release is a compelling addition to Lochlea’s growing portfolio and a must-try for whisky enthusiasts seeking something both distinctive and approachable.
Lochlea Red Wine Cask 2026 will be available from specialist retailers from 28th May onwards, RRP: £55. Visit www.lochleadistillery.com or ITG @lochleadistillery for more details.
A closer look at The Lochlea Single Estate Range core range:
RRP for each bottle: £50 per 70cl. Stockists include whisky specialists and independent retailers across the UK and in over 30 international markets.
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.
Our Barley:
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.
About 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.
