Farm-to-cask distillery, Lochlea, has unveiled its first permanent collection of single malt whiskies, expanding beyond limited seasonal releases to offer three new expressions alongside its flagship Our Barley whisky.
The Ayrshire-based distillery, founded in 2017, will release Orchard & Oak, Dark Briar, and Smoke Without Fire on September 4, 2025, each priced at £50 per bottle. All expressions are crafted from barley grown exclusively on Lochlea Farm.
Lochlea Core Range Reflects Distillery’s Growing Maturity
The move from seasonal to permanent offerings signals a significant step for the distillery. Master blender Jill Boyd attributes the timing to increased stock maturity and production consistency.
“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,” Boyd said.
“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.”
Each expression targets a different flavor profile while maintaining what the distillery describes as its signature fruit-forward character. Orchard & Oak combines first-fill bourbon, virgin American oak, and calvados casks. Official tasting notes describe fresh green apple and buttery caramel flavors.
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Dark Briar uses Pedro Ximénez, oloroso sherry, and port casks to create what the distillery characterizes as a bold expression. The official notes highlight juicy red berries and warming tannins.
New Core Range Expands Distribution Opportunities
Smoke Without Fire introduces peat to the lineup, though the distillery describes it as delicate. Matured in ex-peated refill bourbon barrels and red wine casks, official tasting notes mention soft bonfire smoke balanced with floral sweetness.
All three new whiskies are bottled at 46% ABV and are non-chill filtered, matching the specifications of the existing Our Barley expression. The complete range will be available through whisky specialists and independent retailers across the UK and in more than 30 international markets.
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!”
The distillery plans preview tastings in major UK cities starting September 1 in Glasgow, followed by Edinburgh, London, Bristol, and Manchester through September 6.
Lochlea maintains its commitment to transparency and sustainability by controlling the entire production process from field to cask at its Ayrshire location. Each whisky undergoes distillation, maturation, and marrying on-site.
The permanent range launch comes after several years of seasonal releases that helped establish the distillery’s reputation. The new offerings aim to provide consistent availability while maintaining the character developed through those earlier limited editions.
