Dining

Lochlea first stout aged single malt is a must-try for whisky fans and craft beer lovers

Lochlea whisky Overtone bottle and can

Ayrshire-based Lochlea distillery has launched its first-ever single malt whisky matured in stout beer casks. This UK-exclusive promises a unique flavour profile born from a creative collaboration with Glasgow’s craft brewery, Overtone.

The journey of this expression began with Lochlea’s signature single malt, Our Barley, which was initially matured in a mix of ex-bourbon, STR (shaved, toasted, re-charred), and oloroso sherry casks.

The liquid was then transferred into casks that had been loaned to Overtone Brewery, where they were used to mature a robust stout beer. After seasoning the casks for several months, the barrels were returned to Lochlea, ready to impart their rich stout character to the whisky.

This UK-exclusive release promises a unique flavour profile…

Non-chill filtered and bottled at 52% ABV, the resulting single malt blends the floral, fruity notes of Lochlea’s Lowland spirit with the deep, roasted characteristics of Overtone’s stout. On the nose, expect all-butter shortbread, tropical fruit, and macadamia nuts, with sweet toffee and toasted barley on the palate.

Says Emma Kirk, Trade Sales Manager at Lochlea: “As an independent distillery, we have the freedom to experiment and create unique expressions. Partnering with Overtone Brewery was a natural fit, and the result of aging Our Barley in stout-seasoned casks is a whisky we are immensely proud of…”

Lochlea Stout Cask Finish whisky is available at select specialist retailers across the UK, priced at £59.99. 

First pour: Heaven Hill Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Old wheated bourbon is a real sweet charmer

Heaven Hill, one of America’s most historically important distilleries, has launched Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Old Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in the UK, through an exclusive partnership with Majestic. The release marks the UK debut of the signature expression. Heaven Hill traces its roots back to the late 1800s and became widely known during the…

The Luxe Review podcast: A week of wine and whisky crossovers

Welcome to The Luxe Review podcast — where the whisky is limited, the Chardonnay has opinions about geography, and the listening bar is apparently a lifestyle now. Anne: The team has been covering a lot of ground this week — cask innovation, distilling heritage, a global wine competition, and a collaboration that pairs high-fidelity audio…

Unknown's avatar

About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and Editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Good Housekeeping, Louder Sounds, StereoNet and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter/X, Tiktok and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK