Lochlea reveals latest seasonal whisky

Scottish distillery Lochlea has introduced the autumn expression of its seasonal whisky series: the Fallow Edition Second Crop. The series, consisting of four single malts a year, is based around the changing seasons at Lochlea’s farm in Ayrshire, Scotland, with previous releases from this year including the Harvest Edition in August and the Sowing Edition from spring, when Lochea first began sowing seeds for the year’s barley. The Fallow Edition pays tribute to autumn, an important period in which farmland can recuperate following the busy harvest. The whisky has been matured in a split of Oloroso (45%) and Pedro Ximénez Sherry (55%) casks, and features sweet and spiced notes that the distillery says are ‘perfect to sip and savour as dark, autumnal nights close in’. Lochlea owner and farmer Neil McGeoch said: “Fallow season within our farming calendar is a vital time of year for us to regenerate the land ready for our barley to grow well in the spring and summer. “This release is so important to us, as it gives us a chance to tell the story of the farm and explain some of our sustainable practices.” The Ploughing Edition will be next in the series, which will be released in winter and inspired by the fields ploughed in preparation for spring. John Campbell, Lochlea’s production director, added: “In this Fallow Edition Second Crop – the third in our new set of four seasonal limited editions – we have used a combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez (PX) Sherry butts. “The introduction of the PX casks this year creates a very different flavour profile to our first release of Fallow Edition First Crop last year, which saw us use only Oloroso casks.” “This warming and unctuous whisky starts with aromas of rich Manuka honey, moving to luscious golden syrup and ground coffee beans. Layers of sweetly spiced candied ginger follow on the palate, leading to the finish offering hints of freshly crushed almonds.’’ With an ABV of 46%, the Fallow Edition will retail for £51.50 (US$63) per 700ml bottle from 26 October. Back in June, David Ferguson, commercial director at Lochlea, spoke to The Spirits Business about his targets for the brand for the rest of 2023. The distillery is situated on the site of the old home of Scottish poet Robert Burns.