Lochlea Orchard & Oak - Single Estate

Lochlea is an independent family owned farm and distillery, making single malt exclusively from the barley they grow and harvest themselves. (Much like Spirit of Yorkshire.) We’ve enjoyed Lochlea’s seasonal releases, but Orchard & Oak – matured in a trio of first-fill bourbon, fresh American oak, and Calvados casks – is part of their first ever core range (alongside the sherry and Port matured Dark Briar, and ex-peated and red wine cask Smoke Without Fire).

Most single estate distilleries still have to get their barley malted off-site (as almost all distilleries do), but Lochlea are reportedly floor malting ~20% of their own barley now, and aim to reach 100%. Hopefully we’ll get an update during the live tasting! Former Laphroaig manager John Campbell has now moved on, but with the likes of award-winning master blender Jill Boyd on board, Lochlea is still in very safe hands.