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B-21 Top Recommendation
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"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." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer
One of the more exciting yet under-the-radar rising stars in the Scotch scene, Lochlea should (and probably will) be on every single malt fanatic's list of must-try discoveries in short order. Founded in 2018, they've already racked up some impressive critical accolades across their range, and as the distilling team hits their stride, there's no telling how high their star will climb. As B-21's Andrew Kitz declares, "If you’re looking for a new, boutique single-malt distillery to go nuts over, here’s your champion."
The Lochlea property itself, once belonging to the immortal Scottish poet Robert Burns, was historically a cattle farm, and that's what owners Neil and Jen McGeoch had in mind when they purchased it in 2006. However, it was soon apparent that cows wouldn't cut it financially, and they turned to the property's other historical cash crop. Now, 50 acres of malting barley are the backbone of this grain-to-glass operation, with the old cattle-farming structures and facilities converted into a modern, functioning distillery in 2016.
Long-time Laphroaig master distiller John Campbell set the standards with the first batches, and that uncompromising quality is now seen across the board in every release. You'll no doubt see more from this fabulous, bootstrapped project in the near future, but the flagship Our Barley is the perfect dram to sink your teeth into as you fall in love with a true star in the making in boutique Scotch whisky. |
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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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