Lochlea Sowing Edition (Second Crop)

Sydney Whisky Show May 20th 2023. Whisky #8 Nose: A delicate aroma profile with notes of grassy grain, lemon cookies, orchard fruits, stone fruits, fennel, and vanilla. A small addition of water enhances a subtle caramel scent. Palate: A mildly sweet initial taste featuring stewed apples, pear tart, and some zesty lemon and cinnamon. A more pronounced lemon flavor emerges as it develops, supported by toasted nuts and vanilla. Diluting it softens the lemon and introduces more floral notes. The texture is pleasant but not exceptional when neat; however, with water, it gains a creamy quality. Finish: Medium to short length. Flavors of lemon, ginger, and a hint of pepper. Lochlea is a new independent lowland distillery in Ayrshire, producing spirit since 2018. Their first whiskies were released last year, and this marked my initial encounter with them. I thoroughly enjoyed this expression. It's a young, vibrant yet smooth whisky emphasizing cereal and crisp fruits, especially citrus. While not overly complex, the profile is agreeable and refreshing, clearly intended for early consumption after minimal aging in first-fill bourbon barrels. Its reasonable price makes it competitive with the many other young Scottish malts currently available. Despite the moderate score, this was among the most engaging and exciting whiskies I sampled at the show. It's unpretentious and shows great potential for the future; I'll be following this distillery closely. I liked it enough to purchase a bottle on the spot. “Above Average”: 82/100 (3.25)

Nose: Sweet conference pear, shortbread, dried grass. Palate: Slightly slick texture. Sweet, toffee-coated nuts. Malty. Finish: Peppery, lingering orchard fruit. Warming.