Lochlea Distillery
- Emma Gibbs
- Apr 27, 2024
- 2 min read
This young, independent, family-owned distillery in Ayrshire was once the home of Robert Burns. Nowadays, its known for producing fresh young whiskies as well as growing and harvesting its own barley. Oh, and it also has a LEGENDARY master blender at the helm!
Region: Lowlands
Founded: By Neil and Jen McGeoch in 2018
Current owner: The McGeoch family
Range
Our Barley – notes of green apple, pear, cereal and grass flavours, first fill bourbon and sherry
Cask Strength – notes of dried fruit, brazil nuts and coffee bean
Lochlea also produce limited-edition quarterly ‘seasonal’ batches which mirror the four farming cycles of the year – Spring, Harvest, Fallow & Ploughing.
Single Site Distillery
Lochlea Distillery is remote. It sits in the middle of a 90-acre working farm, around 30 miles away from the nearest distillery. Lochlea grows its own barley and distils and matures onsite. There are plans to introduce maltings as well as a bottling plant eventually with the ambition to become the ultimate SINGLE-SITE DISTILLERY.
Home of Robert Burns
The Lochlea farm estate was once the family home of ROBERT BURNS. A poet by calling but a ploughman by trade, Burns lived and worked on the farm from 1777-1784 and later inherited the estate from his father. Arguably the farm played a pivotal role in shaping his early life and influencing his poetic prowess.
Awards
For such a young distillery, Lochlea have won some prestigious awards, like ‘Best Single Estate Distillery’ at the World Whisky Awards twice in two years (2023 & 2024), and ‘Brand Innovator of the `year’ at the Icons of Whisky Awards 2024.
John Campbell
John Campbell is a legend in the Scotch whisky industry. For 27 years, he was the distillery manager at Laphroaig but in 2021, ready for a new challenge after the Covid pandemic, he moved to Lochlea and became the production director and master blender.
Fun Fact: Lochlea’s distillery motto is ‘Dare to be honest’ which goes hand-in-hand with their mission towards full traceability.
Have you tried a Lochlea yet? Are you a fan of young whisky? Let me know in the comments.
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