Lochlea releases its smokiest whisky yet with: Ploughing Edition (Third Crop)
Lochlea releases latest Ploughing Edition (Third Crop)
Lochlea Distillery in Ayrshire is releasing its last ever seasonal release; the third Ploughing Edition (Third Crop) - a culmination of the three-year series concluding this year by the award-winning distillery.
This final release of Lochlea Ploughing Edition (Third Crop) is released during winter on the farm when the fields are ploughed in preparation for spring’s sowing season in the months ahead. It showcases the distillery’s signature fruit and cereal-forward spirit with a peated twist.
Lochlea’s seasonal releases have been much-celebrated amongst the whisky community and beyond around the world since launching with the First Crop series in 2023. The limited-edition range has been instrumental in showing the farm-to-cask distillery’s innovation and creativity, not only within cask maturation but also with spirit style.
Of the four whiskies in the seasonal range, Ploughing Edition is the only spirit with a distinctive smoky profile, achieved through it being matured exclusively in 100% ex-Islay 200 litre casks.
The powerful peated casks coupled with the extra year of ageing from the Second Crop combine to produce the smokiest of Lochlea’s whiskies released to date, with delicious flavours or green apple, toffee and malted biscuits, alongside the mouthwatering smoky taste.
Lochlea’s Master Blender, Jill Boyd – who joined the distillery team at the end of 2024 - commented:
“We are delighted to share our third and final crop of Ploughing Edition – which also marks the end of the seasonal releases range. The range has been very well received over the past three years and has allowed us to tell our story with genuity and passion.“
“As a small farm-to-cask independent distillery growing all of our own barley here on the farm, it’s been imperative for us to talk about the importance of the land, the seasons and the farming calendar and the effect this has on our spirits. The seasonal Releases has showcased just how our spirits can evolve and change, influenced by the time of year and what profile of whisky we are looking to create to bring out the best of that season.”
“We hope whisky lovers have enjoyed joining us on the journey with the seasonal releases and will seek out this final release before it all disappears! We look forward to sharing more exciting innovations in the near future that tells another part of our Lochlea story.”
Lochlea’s seasonal releases are as follows:
Ploughing Edition: released in winter when the fields are ploughed in preparation for spring.
Sowing Edition: inspired by spring when the seed is sown for the year’s barley crop.
Harvest Edition: timed with annual harvest on the farm.
Fallow Edition: reflects the season of autumn on the farm when the fields are left fallow to rest after a busy harvest.
Lochlea Ploughing 3rd Crop: outstanding in its field.
Ploughing Edition (Third Crop) – Tasting notes:
Nose: Fresh green apple, sweet toffee and comforting notes of signature Lochlea cereal
Palate: More fresh fruit, giving way to wonderful savoury smoke and malted biscuits
Finish: Moreish fresh coastal notes of sea salt and a long lingering hint of peat.
ABV: 46%
RRP: £51.50
About Lochlea Distillery:
Lochlea was originally a 222 acre livestock farm before being purchased by Neil and Jen McGeoch in 2006. After much consideration of the future of the farm and a successful trial to grow its own barley in 2015, the couple transformed the land and existing farm buildings into a fully-operational distillery in 2017 and started distilling the following year. The farming side has remained a unique part of Lochlea, with the move into barley production – paving the way for Lochlea to be one of the very few fully grain-to-cask distilleries in Scotland. It also has a rich Scottish heritage with strong links to Robbie Burns, with the bard having worked and lived on the farm a several years.
