Lochlea – Sowing Edition 3rd Crop (70cl, 46%)

This is the third Sowing Edition from Lochlea, a single malt from the Ayrshire farm distillery. It completes the Sowing trilogy and opens the last group of four seasonal Lochlea bottlings. The edition marks spring on the farm, when the barley is sown. It was matured only in fresh first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, and the whiskies in this selection were nine months older than those used for the Second Crop. Lochlea points to floral aromas, which it links to distilling in the colder months, along with a crisp note of pear. It is bottled at 46%, with natural colour and without chill-filtration. The nose combines almonds and rose petals. On the palate come lively apple blossom and white pepper, and the finish recalls warm straw and freshly cut grass.