Family-owned Lochlea Distillery has officially announced the launch of its second annual Red Wine Cask Release, arriving on 28th May 2026. Following the success of last year’s debut edition, the new release continues the distillery’s limited-edition wine cask series, showcasing Lochlea’s creative approach to cask finishing and flavour exploration.
The new Red Wine Cask 2026 begins its maturation in first-fill Bourbon barrels before being finished in carefully selected Sangiovese wine casks from Tuscany, Italy. The result is described as a rich and velvety single malt with layers of sweetness, spice, and red fruit complexity.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Red berries, baked apples, honey, and gentle spice.
Palate: Creamy texture with rich berry notes, nutty flavours, and warming sweetness.
Finish: Soft spice with lingering oak influence.
Lochlea’s annual Red Wine Cask series focuses on using wine casks from different regions each year, giving every release a unique identity while still preserving the distillery’s signature house style. The inaugural 2025 edition utilised Grenache casks from southern France, while the 2026 release shifts toward the deeper fruit profile of Italian Sangiovese wine casks.
One of the most unique aspects of Lochlea is its full farm-to-cask production model. The Ayrshire distillery is one of only two Scotch whisky distilleries that grow their own barley on-site, maintaining complete control over production from field to bottle.
Distillery Manager Darren McCormick commented:
“Our latest Red Wine Cask expression deepens our signature style with this type of cask, building on the 2025 release finished in Grenache casks from the south of France. We want to set the tone for future releases in the series whilst reinforcing our commitment to flavour exploration.”
Lochlea Red Wine Cask #2 – Details
- Finished in Sangiovese wine casks
- Initially matured in first-fill Bourbon barrels
- 46% ABV
- Natural colour
- Non-chill filtered
- Limited annual release
With its combination of fruit-forward richness, creamy texture, and elegant spice, the second edition of Lochlea’s Red Wine Cask series looks set to become another standout release for whisky fans seeking something distinctive yet approachable.
