Lochlea Ex-Islay Cask 2019: A Smoky Lowland Single Malt Like No Other If you love smoky whisky but prefer elegance over raw power, the Lochlea Ex-Islay Cask 2019 is your dream dram. This limited-edition Lowland single malt Scotch whisky is matured in a rare ex-Islay cask, infusing Lochlea’s signature orchard fruit and biscuity texture with soft, coastal smoke. Think baked apple crumble by a driftwood fire, creamy hazelnuts on toasted oak, and a sherbet zing that lingers long after the glass is empty. What You Need to Know Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky Region: Lowlands, Scotland Distillery: Lochlea Barley: 100% Laureate, estate-grown on Lochlea Farm Cask: Ex-Islay single malt cask Distilled: 25/09/2019 Bottled: 14/05/2025 ABV: 54% Bottles Released: 410 Natural Colour / Non-Chill Filtered: Yes / Yes This bottling showcases what makes Lowland whisky exciting again: innovation, provenance, and a refusal to follow expectation. Tasting Notes NoseAromas of freshly cut grass and barbecued pineapple roll into buttery apple and subtle green pepper, all lifted by a ribbon of soft, saline smoke. PalateOn the tongue, the dram glows with barbecued citrus, runny honey, and creamy hazelnuts. That distinctive Islay cask smoke begins gentle and floral, then builds into charred birchwood, driftwood embers, and a touch of coastal salinity. FinishThe finish is long and vibrant. Expect sherbet fizz (flying saucers, anyone?), bitter orange peel, and just a hint of sea salt and vanilla to close. Key Flavours Sweet Smoke Baked Apple Creamy Hazelnut Coastal Driftwood Sherbet Candy Why This Whisky Is Unique This isn’t your average peated Scotch. There’s no peat in the malt—instead, the whisky takes on its smoke entirely from the ex-Islay cask it matured in. That distinction matters. Where peated malts can lean medicinal or brash, this expression delivers a cleaner, more textured smoke. Think of it as smoked Maldon sea salt over vanilla ice cream rather than the hammer blow of TCP or iodine. It’s subtle, elegant, and thoroughly modern. That balance and finesse caught the eye of Jill Boyd, Lochlea’s Master Blender and one of the sharpest palates in Scotch whisky today. Formerly of Compass Box, Jill personally selected this cask for its standout character and expressive layering. Lochlea: Leading the Lowland Whisky Revival Based in Ayrshire, Lochlea Distillery is an independent, family-owned Lowland whisky producer that’s reshaping the region’s flavour profile. Unlike many others, Lochlea grows 100% of its own barley on-site. The result? Full traceability, tight flavour control, and a core spirit that’s naturally biscuity, citrussy, and bright. Maturation takes place entirely on the farm. From grain to cask to bottle, everything happens on-site, preserving the integrity of their single malt Scotch and reducing their environmental footprint. This Ex-Islay Cask bottling is a brilliant showcase of what happens when a classically elegant spirit meets a bolder, more coastal influence — and it’s unlike anything else in the category. Pairings from Half + Heart Great whisky deserves great company. For this dram’s smoky elegance and orchard-fruit backbone, try: Attic Brew Co Centro – A juicy, citrus-forward IPA with notes of passionfruit and stone fruit. It complements the whisky’s orchard profile and lifts its creamy smoke. Small Beer Co Pale Ale – Light, bright, and only 2.5% ABV. A sessionable contrast that lets the whisky’s spice and sweetness shine. More Reasons This Bottling Stands Out Homegrown Barley: Lochlea is one of just two distilleries in Scotland growing 100% of their own barley. This Laureate variety forms the flavour foundation of every dram. Ex-Peated Cask: Matured in a cask that once held smoky Islay whisky, this dram brings layered, refined smoke without overwhelming the core distillate. Cask Clue: Curious which Islay distillery the cask came from? Here’s your what3words clue: courage.scrub.cookers Close to Glasgow: Visiting the area? While Lochlea isn’t open to tours, it’s just outside Glasgow. Check out our curated guide for where to eat, drink, and caffeinate nearby. (link)The Heart Cut's guide to Glasgow
