Lochlea Harvest Edition First Crop Single Malt Scotch Whisky
When Lochlea released their first whisky earlier this year…er, last year, since it’s now 2023…I was surprised to the point of suspicion. A three-year-old whisky that was flavorful, had an older-bodied feel to it, and had its own, unique profile? So few have or could pull that off that I was immediately skeptical.
After reading other reviews, though, I was eventually convinced that my suspicions - while shared - were unfounded. It was simply a great whisky that could mature at a young age with plenty of room to grow as it got older. That was the Sowing Edition.
Lochlea Harvest Edition First Crop Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the next iteration, showcasing the barley’s on-the-stalk maturation at the height of the Ayrshire summer. This being one of their original crops, it’s likely that it contains both Concerto and Laureate barleys, since both were being used and tested by John Campbell’s predecessor, Malcolm Rennie (Lochlea has since moved to only using Laureate for both flavor and yield). It’s also almost a surety that this was fermented using two types of yeast and two maturations, neither of which are still the case for Lochlea.
John had some interesting updates on the products, but I’ll get more into that in the next review on the “Our Barley” edition.
This is all to say that while delicious, this may not be the same “Harvest Edition” we see down the road, for better or worse.
This one, though, is a beauty. The bottle evokes barley fields with raised embossing, and the bright label stands out on the shelf in an inviting way. Whereas the Sowing Edition was their first crop, finished in only ex-bourbon casks, this crop was finished in three different casks - ex-bourbon, Port, and Oloroso sherry.
The finishing is not overdone, immediately evidenced by a still-pale amber coloration. Both bright and dark fruits flow out of the glass, blending the flavors into a lovely, summery dram that drinks far too easily (in the best way). It’s full-bodied, coating, and heavier than its proof would indicate. The barley is never lost despite two strong maturation casks (after the ex-bourbon) - in fact, it is highlighted.
More in the next review…
While this bottle was purchased by the author, Lochlea is imported by ImpEx Beverages, a Whiskey Ring Podcast sponsor.
Lochlea Harvest Edition First Crop Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Specs
Classification: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Origin: Lochlea Distillery
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Proof: 92 (46% ABV)
Age: NAS (3+ Years)
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
Lochlea Harvest Edition First Crop Single Malt Scotch Whisky Price: $62.99
No Official Website
Lochlea Harvest Edition First Crop Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review: Tasting Notes
Eye: Pale gold. Thin disappearing rims, bowing down, tiny droplets quickly falling.
Nose: Smoke and light peat explode from the glass. Fruits grilling and caramelizing. Burst of barley, grassy and lemony, bright cereal notes. Much brighter than a typical Lowland to me. Lemon-lime soda syrup, mild ginger and cinnamon spices.
Palate: Closer to a Lowland style here, the barley still fresh and lemony but some subtle funk underneath. Reaches the whole palate, the bourbon cask being most prevalent at first. Oloroso numbing is barely there, a bit of rancio and nectarine skin. With air, the port appears gently, juicy smoky fruit that adds astringency and oak body. Mouthfeel is coating and medium-to-full-bodied.
Finish: Stays creamy and oily, full-bodied and full-tongue coating. The port sweetness, bourbon cask coconut, and sherry mint and fruit all remain on a medium-to-long finish.
Overall: Wow. just wow. Barley is ever-present as the maturation casks cycle through the palate and back again. Never worried about losing the underlying barley character, with the fruitiness adding to the profile at each step.
Final Rating: 7.7
10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close
9 | Incredible | Extraordinary
8 | Excellent | Exceptional
7 | Great | Well above average
6 | Very Good | Better than average
5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary
4 | Has promise but needs work
1-3 | Let’s have a conversation
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