Lochlea Orchard & Oak

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Lochlea - Lowlands

1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrels, Virgin American Oak and Ex-Calvados Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt

Launched in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

In 2025, the distillery launched a new range called Single Estate, and Orchard & Oak is one of the three expressions in this range. It’s part of the Core Range, so it’s set to be around for quite some time. That said, the range is called Single Estate because they claim that everything is done on-site. Indeed, the barley is grown in their fields, bottling is carried out on site, and fermentation, distillation and maturation all take place on site, which is excellent. Except that the malting isn’t done on site, which means it isn’t a true Single Farm Estate. And don’t confuse Single Farm Estate with Single Cask. Just because it’s a ‘Single Farm Estate’ (which isn’t the case here) doesn’t mean it’s a ‘Single Cask’. A ‘Single Farm Estate’ can be the result of blending several casks. All these considerations aside, it’s always interesting to taste this sort of thing, it inevitably has a strong identity. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

You immediately recognise the finesse and sweetness of the Calvados, with notes of fresh green apple and syrup or treacle, followed by woody vanilla and honeyed caramel. Slightly more discreet cereal and herbaceous notes, though clearly present, reeds, tall grasses and freshly cut hay. Juicy pears and Chasselas grapes. It’s also floral. Porridge. On the palate, it’s somewhat light, vanilla, honey, elderflower, but there are a few spices too, the apples are cooked in butter. Nutmeg and cinnamon. The finish is more than decent, and even pleasant, with a generous zest of lemon, still full of orchard fruits, a mint leaf, minced almonds, a pinch of salt and earth. 

 

In Short, 

The Calvados casks add a little something extra in terms of flavour, and also in terms of viscosity, it’s a bit oilier. This complements the distillery’s profile very well, enhancing its rustic, countryside character. Whilst remaining elegant. For me, it’s a success, and the price isn’t that high. Perhaps it’s worth buying. It would be better if the age were stated, though. 

Score : 85 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                     To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Melusina - L'Ultimo Sguardo