If you’re looking for a new, boutique single-malt distillery to go nuts over, here’s your champion. The pedigree in all of Lochlea’s expressions is undeniable, and it’s clear that they take their craft, from the fields to the distillery, very seriously. A blend of first-fill oloroso casks, STR barriques, and ex-bourbon barrels, the flagship Our Barley is about as fan-friendly as a whisky can get, and although it’s hard to look past the super-stylish packaging, once you get into the juice itself, you’ll be hooked. The nose is just flat-out pretty in the most comforting way. Apricot, ripe peach, cobbler crust, and orange marmalade are front and center, with additional nuances of sweet cereals, candied/caramel apple, sweet flowers, and macadamia nuts completing the dessert-in-a-glass aromatic profile. The palate is every bit as gorgeous and charming, with those same apricot and peach notes augmented by sweet peppers, cream soda, sarsparilla, and all kinds of chocolate variations. The broad, expansive mouthfeel needs no water, so you can dive right in, all the way through a finish of ripe red fruit and chocolate-covered raisins. Founding distiller John Campbell (the long-time mastermind at Laphroiag) set the bar high at the outset, and the team at Lochlea are more than living up to those lofty expectations.
93 points, Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer (Aug 2025)
An array of stone fruits on the nose, showing up as peach cobbler, apricot marmalade, and pear slices. There’s spice, too, with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, as well as vanilla frosting, matcha powder, and lemon peel. The palate is rich and creamy, and chocolate takes the stage—cocoa powder, chocolate pudding, mocha latte, and Nutella. That chocolate shines even brighter on the finish, where it’s joined by a hint of ripe berry fruit and raisin.
92 points, Julia Higgins, Whisky Advocate (Fall 2023)
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