When we talk about the concept of terroir in Scotch whisky, the conversation inevitably turns to the barley. For the up-and-coming Lowland farm distillery Lochlea, that conversation starts right in their own backyard.
The Harvest Edition series is inspired by the annual barley harvest on Lochlea Farm, where they sow the Laureate barley seed that eventually becomes their single malt. It utilizes a three-cask maturation strategy—bourbon, oloroso sherry, and port casks—to complement the distinctive, farmy character of their young spirit.
As always with Lochlea, this is an integrity bottling: non-chill filtered and natural color.
Lochlea Harvest Edition (Third Crop)
Age: Approximately 5 Years
ABV: 46%
Casks: Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry, and Port
Availability: 8,000 bottles worldwide
Appearance: A vibrant, warm gold that reflects the triple-cask influence.
Nose 86/100
The aroma is an immediate showcase of that homegrown Laureate barley. It leads with sweet cereal and malted milk, rounded out by a heavy drizzle of strong clover honey. As it opens, the oloroso and port influences step forward, delivering rich strawberry and raspberry jam spread over cinnamon butter. A layer of sweet, soft vanilla wraps around the entire profile, with just a few raisins dropped into the bowl for good measure.
Palate 86/100
The mouthfeel offers a fantastic, silky texture that is incredibly easy on the tongue. The initial arrival brings a wave of sweet honey that quickly transitions into vibrant red berries. As it moves across the palate, a lush, creamy vanilla takes over, balanced nicely by just a subtle hint of pepper to keep things interesting.
Finish 85/100
The finish is short to medium in length, shifting away from the bright red fruits and settling into a darker fruit sweetness reminiscent of figs or golden raisins. This slowly fades out, leaving behind a lingering touch of baking spice and a grounding note of bitter oak.
Final Thoughts
This Third Crop is a highly respectable young offering from Lochlea that brilliantly highlights the quality of their local barley. The farmy, cereal-forward character shines through the cask finishing, making this a remarkably nice, easy, and fruity summer sipper.
Having spent some time with their more robust Cask Strength Batch 1 in my own collection, as well as sampling several other expressions at whisky events, the trajectory here is clear. I can strongly recommend Lochlea as an integrity distillery to keep on your radar.
Total Score: 86/100
