Lochlea unveils its first-ever core range

Lochlea Distillery has just dropped a major milestone in its young history: the launch of its first permanent core range of single malts. 

A big move for Lochlea

Until now, the Ayrshire-based farm-to-bottle producer has kept whisky lovers busy with its seasonal releases, but today*, three brand-new expressions will sit proudly alongside Our Barley as part of the newly minted Single Estate Range.

The line-up introduces Orchard & Oak, Dark Briar, and Smoke Without Fire.

Each is made from Lochlea’s own barley, distilled and matured entirely on-site, and bottled without chill-filtration or colouring at 46% ABV. The distillery’s hallmarks of fruit and cereal run through all three, but every release adds its own spin on cask influence and style.

Let’s take a look.

Lochlea unveils its first-ever core range

David Ferguson, commercial director at Lochlea, explains that the Seasonal Limited Editions were a great introduction to Lochlea and told the story of our farm distillery. However, as domestic sales grew and the brand entered more new markets, the volume of these small batches wasn’t enough to get our whisky out to everyone. Hence, a core range.

The new Single Estate Range will be the main focus; however, that’s not to say Lochlea won’t do limited edition releases. For example, you can expect to see the fourth edition of its annual batch of Cask Strength whisky in 2026. It’s all part of a 30-year inventory plan, which includes age-statement Lochlea whiskies. “We are way ahead of the original plan, but we are ambitious to keep growing,” Ferguson says. “So having a settled range of 4 single malt expressions will allow us to focus our efforts and those of our import partners on whiskies that they know can be reordered”.

In the official press release, Lochlea’s master blender Jill Boyd commented on the series. “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.”

A new look

Alongside the liquid, Lochlea has given its packaging a glow-up. The bespoke glass bottle with embossed tyre tracks remains, but the new pack design elevates things further. Our Barley will eventually join in the makeover, but for now keeps its original look.

Ferguson underlines that Lochlea believes whisky is for everyone (as do we), and the brand is attracting a loyal following thanks to its single-estate production and value traceability from barley to bottle. The new core range all carry signature Lochlea cereal and fruit flavours, but the cask profiles mean fans of Lochlea will be introduced to new flavours. 

His favourite, however, remains Our Barley. “It’s like a freshly baked granola bar packed with fruit. From the new whiskies we have just bottled, my personal favourite so far is Orchard & Oak. I love how the new oak and Calvados casks amplify those fresh fruit notes. My answer to that question would change every day though, depending on the weather, my mood and what I’ve had for breakfast!”

Lochlea core range review

I’ve been sent samples of the new trio so we can run through what to expect together. Just to reiterate, each whisky in the new Single Estate core range is crafted entirely from barley grown, distilled, and matured on-site in Ayrshire. Every single malt Scotch whisky is also bottled at 46% ABV, natural colour, and non-chill filtered.

Lochlea Single Estate Orchard & Oak

Orchard & Oak is a bright and fruit-driven single malt matured in a trio of first-fill bourbon, new American oak, and Calvados casks. 

I enjoyed this whisky; it’s what some people would call “approachable,” not necessarily as a compliment. I think it is one. What’s not to like about a whisky that is easy to drink? It’s a leisure pursuit, not a job interview. This whisky doesn’t challenge you, it just brings a nice array of sweet, creamy, fruity flavours to the fore in nice harmony. Mostly apple. And who the hell doesn’t like apples?

Nose: Rosey Apple sweets, dry hay, potpourri, coffee fudge, and cinnamon-dusted pastries.

Palate: Juicy apples are right at the core of this, with flinty minerality, sweet barley, honey, creamy toffee, coffee cake with cream, and whisky-stained oak in support.

Finish: Sweet and long with more orchard fruit and cereal.

Lochlea Single Estate Dark Briar

Dark Briar is a bold and indulgent single malt that builds on the distillery’s popular Fallow Edition. It’s matured in a combination of Pedro Ximénez, oloroso, and Port casks.

We’re already seeing a considerable progression thanks to the casks. I prefer to see the distillery character shine a little more like it does in Orchard & Oak. I also think these casks suit an older whisky that has more time to build the kind of muscle required to stand up to such considerable cask influence. It’s a matter of when, not if, Lochlea develops that because the core spirit character is so distinct and impressive. 

Not that you should think I didn’t enjoy Dark Briar, I did. Rich and decadent in dark fruit and spice, this doesn’t have the poise of O&O, but it has bags of personality, and you can tell that the quality of casks used here is high. If you like sherried whisky, you will like this. A few more years on the clock and this could be a superstar. 

Nose: Plums and dark berries and dates and cinnamon sticks and even a leather shoe bubble away in a big ol’ stew of mulled wine. Strawberry laces and vanilla icing add some playful, less indulgent sweetness, while some toasty malty notes in the backdrop remind us where in Lochlea. 

Palate: Fruitcake and Port with gingerbread for extra measure. The palate is round and dense, hold it in your mouth, it’s almost like sucking on a boiled blackcurrant sweet. Velvety tannins add depth.

Finish: The finish fizzes away with some winter spice as well as heaps of cherry: sweet, tart, slightly menthol, almost root beer in quality…

Lochlea Single Estate Smoke Without Fire

Smoke Without Fire is a single malt inspired by Lochlea’s Ploughing Edition. It’s aged in peated refill bourbon barrels and red wine casks. 

I would guess Laphoraig barrels based on the character of the whisky, which is a touch too medicinal for this whisky. Otherwise, I loved Smoke Without Fire. Subtly smoky single malt is such a joy when the balance is struck between the peaty and the pretty. This is floral, fruity, delicately sweet, and has plenty of malty Lochlea spirit behind it, too, all enveloped in calming billows of smoke. 

Nose: Islay smokiness pours out in an initial bonfire of a nose that quickly settles into more of a roaring fireplace. Citrus and orchard fruit (I kept getting a lot of nice ripe pears) develop among soft floral notes, wet rocks at the beach, fresh malt, and just a touch of smoked salt. 

Palate: The smoke is now in ember territory, warm and rich but not overwhelming. I got a real note of Rainbow Belts, the fizzy laces, don’t ask me why. More pear, orange, and summer flowers are joined by a hint of smoked meat, a touch of salted caramel, and sea air. 

Finish: Sweet fruit juice has now been poured over the smouldering embers, which has a last hurrah of phenolic, coastal, and medicinal flavours. A faint whiff of pencil shavings lingers.

*My 8th anniversary at Master of Malt. How did you guys know?