A BRAND new Ayrshire distillery has launched its inaugural whisky.

Lochlea farm was once the place of work of Ayrshire’s favourite son, Robert Burns, and so it is fitting that the company now based there chose to launch their product on the annual celebration of the bard’s life.

Lochlea Single Malt First Release, which was released on January 25, marks 245 years since Burns moved to the farm.

Bottled at 46 per cent ABV, the malt was matured in first-fill Bourbon and Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks.

John Campbell, production director and master blender, said: “This is the first opportunity for people to enjoy a dram from Lochlea, just in time for Burns Night. “Our first single malt release isn’t quite what you expect from a typical lowland malt. For us, on the nose it is bursting with fresh orchard fruit and zesty orange, with vanilla fudge and a lovely cereal note in the background.

“The palette is rich and sweet with burnt caramel and hazelnuts with a medium mouth coating to finish while still holding on to that fruit. We’re looking forward to seeing bottles of Lochlea being opened, shared and enjoyed. This will provide a taste of what’s to come as we prepare to launch our core expression and some limited small batches this year.”

Cumnock Chronicle: Lochlea's inaugural whisky

Lochlea Distillery began distilling, casking and maturing their whisky in 2018 utilising their own barley and natural water resources.

Commercial manager David Ferguson added: “This is an exciting moment for us. The team have worked tirelessly to get everything organised and bring our first whisky to market. Now we can’t wait to hear what customers think.

“We already have plans in place to release our ongoing core single malt whisky this year, alongside quarterly small batch bottlings. So this is very much just the beginning for Lochlea.”