Lochlea Small Batch tasting notes
May. 1st, 2025 08:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
concert_goerLochlea NAS OB For ImpEx Beverages Inc 70cl 60% ABV
Small Batch series
Matured in Refill Bourbon barrels and finished in American Oak STR casks
Casks no. 283, 284, 285
Color: rich gold.
Nose: honey, melon, bread, crushed red pepper, quinces, lemon pie, almonds, eraser, dates, cherries, bananas, clay, hay, chocolate, tea, meadow herbs, cucumbers, and a touch of tar. The honey note is absolutely remarkable. I cannot recall it ever being this intense in a whisky.
Taste: chocolate, honey, star fruit, guava, blood oranges, pepper, lemons, apples, and pears. The tropical fruit notes are appealing, but the overall profile is dense and sweet.
Finish: chocolate, cocoa, honey, pepper, pears, oranges, and lemon zest.
Score: 8 ½. Good. +2+1+1.
Conclusion: a sweet malt. I do not particularly favor this style, but the honey character presented here is just outstanding. The strength feels satisfying as well. There is no indication of cask strength on the label, so perhaps the batch was slightly diluted to yield a rounded ABV. Adding a few drops of water does not change much. 85/100. An interesting Lochlea, one of the best I have tasted. It is reassuring that this new distillery can produce great whisky and that their future looks even more promising.
Small Batch series
Matured in Refill Bourbon barrels and finished in American Oak STR casks
Casks no. 283, 284, 285
Color: rich gold.
Nose: honey, melon, bread, crushed red pepper, quinces, lemon pie, almonds, eraser, dates, cherries, bananas, clay, hay, chocolate, tea, meadow herbs, cucumbers, and a touch of tar. The honey note is absolutely remarkable. I cannot recall it ever being this intense in a whisky.
Taste: chocolate, honey, star fruit, guava, blood oranges, pepper, lemons, apples, and pears. The tropical fruit notes are appealing, but the overall profile is dense and sweet.
Finish: chocolate, cocoa, honey, pepper, pears, oranges, and lemon zest.
Score: 8 ½. Good. +2+1+1.
Conclusion: a sweet malt. I do not particularly favor this style, but the honey character presented here is just outstanding. The strength feels satisfying as well. There is no indication of cask strength on the label, so perhaps the batch was slightly diluted to yield a rounded ABV. Adding a few drops of water does not change much. 85/100. An interesting Lochlea, one of the best I have tasted. It is reassuring that this new distillery can produce great whisky and that their future looks even more promising.
