Frequently Asked Questions
The Distillery
The Distillery
Is Lochlea Distillery open to the public?
We appreciate all of the interest in visiting Lochlea Distillery however we are not open to the public. There is no visitor centre, no shop, and tours are not currently available. We are a small, ambitious team entirely focused on making great whisky. We do not wish anyone to waste a trip and be disappointed. Please do not travel to the distillery expecting to visit.
When was Lochlea Distillery founded?
The idea for a single malt distillery on the farm first took shape in 2014. Construction began in 2017, and in the summer of 2018, the distillery was commissioned and we began distilling. Our first whisky, the Lochlea First Release, was launched in January 2022.
Where is Lochlea Distillery?
We are based in Ayrshire, in the Lowlands region of south-west Scotland. The distillery sits on a working 222-acre (90-hectare) farm near the village of Craigie, roughly 30 minutes from Glasgow and around 90 minutes from Edinburgh.
What does ‘Lochlea’ mean and how do I pronounce it?
Lochlea translates to “grassland by the loch” — and once upon a time, there was indeed a loch on site. We pronounce it “loch-lee”, with the ‘ch’ sound pronounced as a soft guttural, similar to the Scottish pronunciation of ‘loch’.
What is the connection between Lochlea and Robert Burns?
Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet, lived and worked on Lochlea Farm from 1777 to 1784. He worked the fields with his father by day and would frequent the local towns of Mauchline and Tarbolton for lively debates in the evenings. It was during his time at Lochlea that Burns began to develop as a poet. The farm is deeply connected to that history and we are proud to continue its legacy.
Who runs Lochlea Distillery?
Lochlea is an independently owned, family-run farm distillery founded by Neil McGeoch. Our team includes experienced industry professionals. We remain fully independent with no external ownership.
What makes Lochlea a ‘single estate’ distillery?
Everything happens on the farm. We grow our own Laureate barley on 90 hectares, draw water from our own well, using local groundwater sources, distil through our two copper pot stills, mature in racked warehouses on site, and bottle at the farm. Grown, distilled, matured – all at Lochlea. By-products of production are recycled, crops are grown in rotation, and we use solar energy to reduce our environmental impact.
Our Whisky
What whiskies does Lochlea produce?
Our permanent core range includes four expressions:
- Our Barley — our signature single malt, matured in bourbon, sherry and STR casks
- Orchard & Oak — a fruit-forward expression
- Dark Briar — richer and darker in character
- Smoke Without Fire — our unpeated take on smoky flavour
We also release limited seasonal editions, cask strength batches, and annual special releases such as our Red Wine Cask.
What are the seasonal editions?
Our seasonal editions are inspired by the rhythm of the farming year and are released in limited quantities. Each “crop” is a new vintage:
- Sowing Edition — matured in 100% first-fill bourbon barrels, light and orchard-fruity
- Harvest Edition — matured in port, sherry and bourbon casks, rich and fruit-forward
- Fallow Edition — matured in first-fill oloroso sherry butts, deep and warming
- Ploughing Edition — matured in ex-Islay barrels, bringing gentle peat smoke
Once a seasonal edition sells out, it does not return. Each crop is unique.
What type of barley do you use?
We grow Laureate barley on our own farm at Lochlea. This variety is well suited to the Ayrshire climate and soil, and being able to grow our own grain gives us complete control over quality from seed to spirit. The barley is malted and then mashed in our semi-lauter tun with a two-tonne capacity.
What casks do you use for maturation?
We source high-quality casks from around the world, including first-fill bourbon barrels, oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry butts, port hogsheads, STR (shaved, toasted, re-charred) casks, red wine casks, and ex-Islay barrels. Around 30 casks are filled and added to our on-site racked warehouses each week.
Is Lochlea whisky chill-filtered or coloured?
No. All Lochlea whiskies are non-chill filtered and bottled at natural colour with no artificial colouring added. This preserves the full body, texture and character of the spirit as it comes from the cask.
Has Lochlea won any awards?
Yes. Since our launch we have been fortunate to receive recognition from some of the most respected bodies in whisky, including:
- Gold Medal — San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023 (Our Barley)
- Platinum, 96 Points — Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards 2024 (Our Barley)
- Brand Innovator of the Year — Icons of Whisky Awards 2024
- Single Estate Distillery of the Year — Icons of Whisky Awards 2024
- 92+ Points — multiple expressions rated by Whisky Advocate
- 94 Points — Whisky Advocate (Cask Strength Batch 1)
Can I buy a private cask from Lochlea?
We dedicate around two weeks of our annual production to private casks, and a very limited number are made available each year. For information about our Private Cask Programme, please visit our Private Cask Page or contact us directly.
Buying Lochlea
Can I buy Lochlea whisky online?
Our online shop is coming soon. We are building an online store at lochleadistillery.com where you will be able to purchase directly from us. In the meantime, Lochlea whisky is available from a wide range of specialist retailers across the UK and internationally. Visit our Stockist Finder to find your nearest retailer.
Where can I buy Lochlea whisky in the UK?
We are stocked by hundreds of specialist whisky retailers and venues across the United Kingdom. You can use our Stockist Finder to search by postcode, city or region. Retailers include The Whisky Shop, Royal Mile Whiskies, The Good Spirits Company, Berry Bros. & Rudd, Master of Malt, and many independent specialists.
Is Lochlea whisky available outside the UK?
Yes. We work with export partners across nearly 30 countries including the USA (ImpEx Beverages), France (Société Dugas), Germany (Kirsch Imports), Japan (Whisk-E Ltd), Australia (The Spirits Company), and many more. Visit our Stockist Finder and select “International” to see the full list of export partners by region.
Can I buy Lochlea whisky all year round?
Our core range — including Our Barley, Orchard & Oak, Dark Briar, and Smoke Without Fire — is available to purchase all year round. Our limited seasonal editions and cask strength batches are bottled in much smaller quantities and are only available while stocks last. Once a limited edition is gone, it’s gone.
Can I buy whisky at the distillery?
No. We do not sell whisky at the distillery and are not open to the public. Please use our online stockist finder or wait for our online shop, which is coming soon.
Enjoying Whisky
How should I drink Lochlea whisky?
However you enjoy it most. We recommend trying it neat first to appreciate the full character, then adding a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Our whisky also works beautifully in cocktails — Our Barley makes an excellent Highball or Old Fashioned. There is no wrong way to enjoy good whisky.
What does Lochlea whisky taste like?
Lochlea has a distinctive house style — fruit-forward with a signature cereal character that comes from our estate-grown barley. Our Barley, for example, offers pear syrup, fruit bon bons, and warm cut grass on the nose, with golden syrup, pepper, and cream soda on the palate, finishing long with orange beeswax. Each expression explores different cask influences, from the sherry richness of our Fallow Edition to the gentle peat smoke of our Ploughing Edition.
How should I store my whisky?
Store your bottle upright, away from direct sunlight, and at a consistent, cool room temperature. Unlike wine, whisky should not be stored on its side — the high alcohol content can degrade the cork over time. Once opened, whisky will keep well for months, though flavours may evolve slowly as oxygen interacts with the spirit.
What does ‘non-chill filtered’ mean?
Chill filtration is a process used by some distilleries to remove natural oils and fatty acids that can cause whisky to go slightly hazy when cold or when water is added. By choosing not to chill filter, we retain all of those natural compounds, which contribute to the mouthfeel, texture, and depth of flavour. A slight haze when you add water or ice is a sign of quality and authenticity.
Still Have a Question?
We are always happy to hear from you. Drop us an email and we will get back to you as quickly as we can.
