Lochlea Ploughing Edition Review

The Ploughing Edition is the first peated whisky from Lochlea’s farm distillery in the Lowlands. Lochlea doesn’t produce peated spirit. So how is the Ploughing Edition still a smoky whisky? You’ll find out in this Lochlea Ploughing Edition review.

In Scotland’s Lowlands you’ll find Lochlea Farm, where the water of life has been flowing from the stills since 2018. It’s a place steeped in history: the famed poet Robert Burns lived here from the age of eighteen until his father’s death in 1784. For years the land supported livestock, until Lochlea founders Neil and Jen decided to plant 50 hectares of barley for single malt whisky production.

Now that the entire farm has been transformed into a whisky distillery, the buildings have taken on a brand-new purpose. You can still see traces of its livestock past. The former cattle sheds now house the casks quietly maturing. In the heart of the farm, where Robert Burns once milked cows, you’ll now find two mash tuns, six washbacks, and a pair of stills.

Robert Burns isn’t the only prominent name in Lochlea’s story. Seasoned Distillery Manager Malcolm Rennie was involved from day one. After adventures at the likes of Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Glen Moray, and Lochlea, Rennie moved on to the newly revived Rosebank distillery. He was succeeded as Master Distiller by another heavyweight in the whisky world: former Laphroaig Distillery Manager John Campbell.

Campbell is the reason this unpeated spirit still carries a smoky edge. The Ploughing Edition we’re tasting today underwent a secondary maturation in ex-Islay barrels and peated quarter casks. You probably won’t need long to guess where those casks came from…

You can tell Lochlea is a farm distillery just by looking at the bottle. Beyond the barley stalk logo on the label, the square bottle features an embossed pattern reminiscent of tractor tire tracks. The color chosen for the Ploughing Edition is light blue, evoking the icy winters at the heart of Ayrshire.

As soon as you crack the bottle and pour a dram, the pale color stands out. It’s clear this whisky hasn’t been colored, and the Lochlea team also avoids chill filtration. The nose is bold yet straightforward, with the peat smoke easy to spot. Notes of green apple, burnt rubber, honey candies, and fudge drift by.

The medicinal iodine hints give away that John Campbell sourced casks from his former employer. The first sip only confirms it. A warm peat smoke is wrapped in a blanket of sweet fruit. The mouthfeel is soft and pleasant, yet the whisky still carries plenty of power.

The finish is medium-length, dry, and both fresh and fruity as well as smoky. The aftertaste leans into citrus, salted caramel, and sweet peat. Thanks to the restrained smoke and fresh profile, this dram is remarkably easy to drink.

The Ploughing Edition is a flavorful peated whisky. It’s ideal for introducing newcomers to smoky whisky without throwing an Ardbeg-style smoke bomb at them. After the first sip, the second and third follow quickly. This Lochlea doesn’t stand out for complexity, but like Sven Kramer, it’s a fantastic all-rounder.

+ Sweet, fresh, and smoky

+ A tasty all-rounder

- If you’re after a smoke bomb or a complex whisky, look elsewhere

Also check out our page with more whisky reviews.

Photo: Lochlea Distillery