Lochlea Orchard & Oak
Founded in 2016 in Scotland’s Lowland region, Lochlea Distillery has released Lochlea Orchard & Oak in September 2025 as part of its core range. Matured in a combination of first-fill bourbon, new oak, and Calvados casks, this expression is bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered and with no added coloring.
| Country / Region | Scotland / Lowland |
|---|---|
| Brand | Lochlea |
| Type | Single Malt |
| Abv (%) | 46 |
| Character | Sweet |
| Price at the time of tasting | £71.95 |
| Nose | Fresh and inviting with coconut, vanilla, apple, and breakfast cereals upfront, followed by hints of cinnamon, honey, oak, and caramel. Light, balanced, and pleasantly sweet. |
|---|---|
| Palate | Much like the nose, sweet fruity notes take the lead. Apple, pear, and citrus are joined by toffee, malted barley, cinnamon, and gentle oak. The texture is mouth-coating and juicy. |
| Finish | Short to medium in length with lingering notes of barley, toffee, and oak. |
| Overall: | I first tasted Orchard & Oak at its London launch event alongside Lochlea’s other core expressions Our Barley, Dark Brier, and Smoke Without Fire. Orchard & Oak immediately stood out to me as the highlight of the lineup. Its sweet, aromatic nose and mouth-watering palate make it a highly enjoyable dram. Despite its young age (around 4–5 years), I found it impressively well-balanced and refined. |
| Rating | 85/100 |