Lochlea concludes seasonal series
Ayrshire-based Lochlea Distillery has released its final seasonal release, Ploughing Edition Third Crop, which is said to be its 'smokiest' single malt to date.
After three years, Lochlea Distillery has concluded its seasonal series, which debuted in 2022. The range is dedicated to the distillery’s farm-to-cask innovation, while highlighting the farming calendar. The final release, Ploughing Edition Third Crop, celebrates winter on the farm when the fields are ploughed in preparation for spring’s sowing season in the months ahead. The Ploughing Edition stands out as the only spirit with a distinctive smoky profile among the four whiskies in the seasonal range. The whisky's characteristic is achieved by maturing exclusively in ex-Islay 200-litre casks. The peated casks, along with an additional year of ageing from the Second Crop, create the 'smokiest' whisky released by Lochlea to date. Ploughing Edition is said to showcase the distillery’s signature fruit and cereal-forward spirit with a peated twist, displaying notes of green apple, toffee, malted biscuits, and smoke. Jill Boyd, master blender at Lochlea Distillery, who joined the team in 2024, commented: “We are delighted to share our third and final crop of Ploughing Edition – which also marks the end of the seasonal releases range. The range has been very well received over the past three years and has allowed us to tell our story with genuity and passion. “As a small farm-to-cask independent distillery growing all of our own barley here on the farm, it’s been imperative for us to talk about the importance of the land, the seasons and the farming calendar and the effect this has on our spirits. The seasonal releases have showcased just how our spirits can evolve and change, influenced by the time of year and what profile of whisky we are looking to create to bring out the best of that season.” She added: “We hope whisky lovers have enjoyed joining us on the journey with the seasonal releases and will seek out this final release before it all disappears. We look forward to sharing more exciting innovations in the near future that tell another part of our Lochlea story.” The final release is offered at 46% ABV and will be available from 27 March with an RRP of £51.50 (US$67). In January, Lochlea launched a six-year-old age-statement whisky to celebrate its sixth anniversary. Last November, the distillery released its first single malt finished in stout beer casks from Overtone.
