Lochlea debuts peated Sherry whisky
Ayrshire-based Lochlea Distillery has unveiled its third cask strength edition, marking the first time it has combined Sherry casks with peat.
Batch three of Lochlea’s Cask Strength annual series combines oloroso Sherry with Islay peat, the first single malt release with such a combination from the Scottish distillery.
Previous expressions in the series have included Batch One in 2023, matured in first-fill Bourbon barrels and oloroso Sherry casks, and Batch Two in 2024, aged in shaved, toasted and re-charred (STR) ex-wine casks, and Pedro Ximénez and oloroso Sherry casks.
The release is said to be a ‘significant’ milestone for the distillery’s master blender, Jill Boyd. She joined the distillery in late 2024 and has been responsible for selecting and blending Cask Strength Batch Three from start to finish.
For the expression, Boyd selected whiskies aged in oloroso Sherry butts and ex-Islay peated casks.
The whisky presents aromas of ripe red fruits and barbecue smoke, followed by flavours of cherries, dark molasses, ginger cake, toasted rye, and charred wood smoke on the palate.
Boyd commented on the new release: “I am especially proud of Cask Strength Batch Three as it has been my first opportunity to curate one of our whiskies from concept to bottle, putting my own mark on our range. I wanted to push the boundaries of our house style with something bold and different.
“As many whisky lovers will know, Sherry and peat are both hugely popular flavour profiles, and we saw an opportunity to bring them together in a way that feels fresh and bold, yet rooted in our distillery’s DNA. It’s complex, it’s warming, and it’s got a smoky twist, making it the perfect dram to enjoy with a barbecue in the sunshine.”
Lochlea Cask Strength Batch Three is offered non-chill filtered at 59.8% ABV.
Available from tomorrow (29 May), the release has an RRP of £67 (US$91).
Earlier this year, Lochlea released the final edition in its seasonal series, Ploughing Edition Third Crop.
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