By Scott Wright
A YOUNG distillery in Ayrshire with connections to Scotland’s national bard has revealed plans to unleash its maiden single later this year.
The £6 million Lochlea Distillery will unveil the first expression of its lowland whisky around three years after production at the purpose-built distillery began.
The spirit has been presided over by whisky veteran Malcolm Rennie, whose 34 years in the industry have included spells with Kilchoman, Bruichladdich and Ardbeg.
The new distillery has been developed on Lochlea Farm, which is understood to have been the home and workplace of Robert Burns between 1777 and 1784.
Mr Rennie, manager of the distillery, said: “Ensuring full traceability from field to cask is vital for us. We grow and harvest our own barley on Lochlea farm with the resulting draff used to feed local cattle and the water is sourced on-site.
“We’ve been able to take advantage of Ayrshire’s natural resources and in doing so it keeps our carbon footprint to a minimum.”
David Ferguson, commercial manager of the distillery, said: “Lochlea Whisky will carve out its own unique place in the industry.
“The new make spirit is bursting with orchard fruit and has a beautiful elegance way beyond its years.”
Both the distillery and farm are owned by the McGeoch family.
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