Lochlea unveils first-ever sherry and peated cask fusion in Cask Strength #3

Independent distillery Lochlea Distillery recently unveiled the third installment of its annual limited cask strength series—Cask Strength Batch 3. This release not only continues the acclaimed lineup but also represents the distillery's first experimental fusion of Oloroso sherry casks with Islay peated character. The new expression was entirely crafted by Master Blender Jill Boyd, marking her first complete project from conception to bottling since joining in late 2024.

Jill carefully selected spirits matured in Oloroso sherry casks and Islay peated casks, blending them to create a profile rich in layered complexity with smoky surprises. Tasting notes describe an initial nose of vibrant red fruits and smoked meat aromas, followed by flavors of cherry, molasses, and gingerbread on the palate, culminating in a long finish featuring baking spices, salty smoke, and red rose florals—a bold departure from the distillery's previous style.

The series maintains its commitment to being non-chill filtered and bottled at natural cask strength without dilution. While previous batches featured PX/Oloroso/STR cask maturation (2024) and bourbon/Oloroso sherry cask maturation (2023), this third batch courageously explores new flavor territories. Jill commented—Sherry and peat are both beloved elements among whisky enthusiasts. We've rooted this innovation in our distillery's DNA to create something groundbreaking yet authentic.

As one of Scotland's rare farm-to-cask independent distilleries, Lochlea grows all its barley across its 222-acre farm. Its core expression Our Barley (an unpeated single malt) combines bourbon, sherry, and STR cask maturation, earning high praise as a young no-age-statement Lowland whisky upon its 2022 debut. The distillery occupies the historic farm where poet Robert Burns once lived and worked, blending agricultural tradition with innovative craftsmanship since its 2017 conversion to a distillery.

2025-05-30

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