Lochlea Our Barley Single Malt 700ML

Lochlea Our Barley Single Malt 700ML is a Lowland single malt Scotch whisky bottled at 46% ABV (92 proof) in a 700ml bottle, made with barley grown on the distillery's own Ayrshire farm. This estate-to-glass approach sets it apart from nearly every other Scottish single malt on the market, giving it a genuine terroir-driven identity rooted in agricultural tradition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46%  |  Origin: Lowlands, Scotland  |  NAS (No Age Statement)  |  Distillery: Lochlea Distillery

Production & Heritage

Lochlea Distillery sits on Lochlea Farm near Mauchline in East Ayrshire — the same farm where Robert Burns lived and worked from 1777 to 1784. The distillery began production in 2018 and released its first whisky in 2022, positioning itself as one of Scotland's few true farm distilleries. Our Barley, the flagship core expression, is distilled from malted barley grown in the fields surrounding the distillery and matured in a combination of first-fill bourbon barrels, first-fill sherry hogsheads, and STR (shaved, toasted, re-charred) red wine barriques. It is bottled at natural color with no chill filtration, preserving the full character of the spirit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh-cut grass and raw cereal grains open first, followed by honeycomb, vanilla pod, and ripe pear. A gentle floral quality sits underneath, suggesting wildflower meadow on a warm day.

Taste: The entry is soft and malt-forward, with barley sugar and lemon curd giving way to stone fruit and baked apple at mid-palate. Gentle baking spice — cinnamon and a hint of ginger — emerges as the sherry and red wine cask influence comes through. The mouthfeel is creamy and medium-bodied, with a noticeable oiliness from the non-chill-filtered bottling.

Finish: Medium in length, clean, and lightly spiced with lingering notes of toasted oak and dried apricot. A subtle sweetness persists, making the final impression approachable and satisfying.

How to Drink Our Barley

Neat is the best way to appreciate the farm-grown barley character and the interplay of three cask types; a few drops of water open up additional fruit notes without diminishing the texture. This whisky also works well in cocktails that benefit from a malt-driven backbone. A Highball with quality soda and a lemon twist highlights the citrus and cereal freshness. A Bobby Burns — the cocktail named for the poet who once walked this very farm — pairs Our Barley with sweet vermouth and Bénédictine for a historically fitting serve. A Penicillin lets the honeyed malt stand up to ginger and lemon while the smoke from the blended Scotch float adds contrast.

Best For

• Introducing someone to Lowland single malts without overwhelming peat or smoke
• Gifting a whisky enthusiast who values provenance and farm-to-bottle production
• Building a new distillery collection from Scotland's emerging wave of producers
• After-dinner sipping alongside light desserts or cheese boards

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Our Barley taste like? Lochlea Our Barley delivers a malt-forward profile with honey, lemon curd, stone fruit, and gentle baking spice, finished with toasted oak and dried apricot. The non-chill-filtered bottling gives it a creamy, slightly oily texture that carries the flavors well.

How does Our Barley compare to Auchentoshan American Oak? Both are approachable Lowland single malts, but Our Barley is bottled at a higher 46% ABV without chill filtration, resulting in more body and intensity. Auchentoshan American Oak (40% ABV) leans toward lighter vanilla and coconut from exclusively bourbon cask maturation, while Lochlea's three-cask combination adds more fruit and spice complexity.

Is Our Barley good for sipping neat? Yes — the 46% ABV and non-chill-filtered bottling make it an excellent neat dram with enough body and flavor depth to hold attention without being overpowering.

Where is Our Barley made? Lochlea Our Barley is distilled at Lochlea Distillery on Lochlea Farm near Mauchline in East Ayrshire, Scotland, within the Lowland whisky region. The barley used in production is grown on the farm's own fields.

What foods pair well with Our Barley? Smoked salmon and cream cheese canapés complement the malt sweetness. Aged cheddar or Comté brings out the toasted oak notes. Apple tart or poached pear works with the orchard fruit character. Shortbread highlights the cereal grain backbone. Mild blue cheese contrasts nicely with the honey and spice.

What sizes does Our Barley come in? Lochlea Our Barley is available in the standard 700ml bottle size.

Is Our Barley worth the price? Our Barley positions as a mid-range single malt that punches above typical entry-level expressions thanks to its estate-grown barley, three-cask maturation program, and non-chill-filtered, natural-color bottling — details usually found at higher price points in the category.

Why Our Barley?

Lochlea is one of very few Scottish distilleries that grows its own barley on the same land where the whisky is made, giving Our Barley a legitimate claim to terroir that most single malts cannot match. The combination of first-fill bourbon barrels, sherry hogsheads, and STR red wine barriques in a single core expression shows ambition beyond what new distilleries typically attempt. At 46% ABV with no chill filtration and natural color, the liquid is presented without compromise. For anyone interested in where Scottish whisky is headed — farm-focused, transparent, and quality-driven from the start — this is one of the most compelling bottles to explore.