Lochlea was a cattle farm when it was originally acquired it in 2006. Extending some 222 acres, we realised that for a farm of that size to be viable we needed to do something very different.
Barley had historically been grown on the farm land, largely as livestock feed, so in 2015 we embarked on an experiment, growing 50 acres of malting barley.
Working away quietly, learning from our (not too frequent) mistakes, exploring the possibilities and making contacts in the malting industry gave us the confidence to make a big decision: we’d develop and operate a single malt distillery here at Lochlea.
Construction got underway in 2017, converting the former piggery, byre and midden in the heart of the farm steading into the distillery, and repurposing the cattle sheds into bonded warehouses. We secured all our licences in 2018, and the distillery was commissioned in August 2018.
Since then, we have been growing our barley, and the distillery team have been skillfully and patiently making spirit.
The land at Lochlea is important, and not just to the distinctive taste of our whisky. This was the land that Robert Burns tended when he lived at Lochlea Farm, inspiring his thinking and development as a poet. Burns toiled the same soil that we are privileged to grow our malting barley in today.
We like to think he’d approve.






Lochlea Our Barley

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.
Oloroso Sherry Butts: Delivered straight from Jerez, Spain, our Oloroso Sherry Butts present flavors of fruit Bon Bons, marmalade and macadamia nuts.
STR Barriques: Delivered straight from Spain, our ‘Shaved, Toasted, Re-charred’ Barriques impart peppery spice and rye bread notes.
First-Fill Bourbon Barrels: Delivered straight from Loretto, Kentucky, our fresh First-Fill Bourbon Barrels help to impart golden syrup and cream soda flavors.
2024/25 Spirit of Craft Awards – An outstanding spirit for aficionados
2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition – Gold
Lochlea US Exclusive STR Small Batch

Nose: Fresh cantaloupe melon, rich Manuka honey
Palate: Subtle nutmeg spice, white pepper
Finish: Warm malted bread and butter
Lochlea Fallow Edition (Third Crop)

Nose: Delightful baked apple and sweet medjool dates.
Palate: Manuka honey and nutty fresh malted bread.
Finish: Rich buttery sandalwood oils and mixed peppercorns.
Lochlea Harvest Edition (Third Crop)

Nose: Bright red grapes, fresh strawberry jam, and clotted cream
Palate: Sweeter notes of baked apple pie and white chocolate
Finish: Beautifully balanced, with savory notes of cracked black pepper.
Lochlea Sowing Edition (Third Crop)

Nose: Almonds, rose petals
Palate: White pepper, a vibrant burst of apple blossom
Finish: Warm straw, fresh grass
Lochlea ex-Islay Single Cask No. 379

Nose: Initial toffee notes, baked apples and cinnamon spice accompanied by earthy peat.
Palate: Campfire smoke appears on the palate with luscious orchard fruits, giving
Finish: Pleasant and lingering beckoning you to return for another sip.
Lochlea 5 yo

Nose: Baked pineapple, brown sugar, hazelnuts, sourdough bread
Palate: Lemon zest, candied pear crumble, orange peel
Finish: Caramel with hints of black pepper, rose petals, and leather
Lochlea Cask Strength Batch 2

Nose: Apples, peach syrup, marmalade
Palate: Wild lavender, rose petals
Finish: Black pepper, signature Lochlea fruit
Lochlea Ploughing Edition (Second Crop)

Nose: Fresh green apple, signature Lochlea cereal
Palate: Succulent fruit, freshly cut summer hay
Finish: Sea salt, lingering peaty embers
Lochlea Fallow Edition (Second Crop)

Nose: Rich manuka honey, golden syrup
Palate: Ground coffee beans, layers of sweetly spiced ginger candy
Finish: Medium Length. Freshly crushed almonds
Lochlea Harvest Edition (Second Crop)

NOSE: Dates, ripe red grapes, thick cut marmalade.
PALATE: Pink peppercorns and dried fruit.
FINISH: A beautiful, lingering, creamy finish.
Lochlea Sowing Edition (Second Crop)

Nose: Signature sweet red apple and pear.
Palate: Vanilla pods and almond oil.
Finish: Medium length with a crisp, refreshing pine forest note.
Lochlea Cask Strength

NOSE: Fruit punch, cigar notes, coffee beans
PALATE: Signature Lochlea fruit, Brazil nuts
FINISH: Orange syrup mixed with aged Oak shaving
Lochlea Ploughing Edition (First Crop)

Nose: Baked fruit with a light peat smoke in the background.
Palate: Old fashioned boiled sweets, more cooked apple, and Brazil nuts.
Finish: Lingering fruit and nuttiness all intertwined with a haze of Islay peat smoke.
Lochlea Fallow Edition (First Crop)

Nose: Ripe red fruits & freshly baked banana loaf.
Palate: Dried fruit , leathery notes, malt biscuits.
Finish: Medium length, with hints of aniseed & moreish floral rose petals.
Lochlea Harvest Edition (First Crop)

Nose: Stewed apples, pear drops, oat biscuits.
Palate: Strawberries, violet, toasted marshmallows.
Finish: Signature Lochlea cereal & freshly cut grass.
Lochlea Sowing Edition (First Crop)

PALATE: Vanilla sweetness, orchard fruits, and hazelnuts.
FINISH: Fruity with a final sweetness & lasting viscosity.
2022 Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards – Gold, 90 Points
Lochlea First Release

PALATE: Stewed fruit, toasted oats, cinnamon, cloves, and hazelnuts
FINISH: Medium mouth coating, fresh fruit, sweet cereal, and spice.