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 4th 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 1st September in Glasgow, Tuesday 2nd September in Edinburgh then onto London on 4th September, followed by Bristol and Manchester on 5th and 6th 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.
