Latest news with #LochleaDistillery
The Herald Scotland
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
First Edition Festival celebrates volume that made Bard a best seller
With the modest title of Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, John Wilson printers produced 612 copies of this first edition, including now-iconic works such as The Twa Dogs, Halloween, To a Mouse and The Cotter's Saturday Night. Priced at three shillings, the reception was immediate and nearly the entire first edition sold out within weeks, cementing Burns as a literary superstar. But without the influence of his Kilmarnock-based printer, his star may never have risen at all. Burns was engulfed in a personal crisis at the time, facing financial strain from his farming efforts and pressure on his relationship with Jean Armour from her disapproving father. Desperate for a fresh start, Burns began to plan a relocation to Jamaica. His friend Gavin Hamilton suggested that Burns could raise money for his passage by publishing a selection of his poems. Inspired by this idea, Burns sought out John Wilson, setting in motion the chain of events that would forever entwine him with the town of Kilmarnock. And it is this relationship that the First Edition Festival commemorates. Beginning on Saturday 19 July, the celebrations kick off with the formal opening of the 2025 Festival at the iconic Burns mural in the centre of Kilmarnock. The following day sees an Annual Service of Commemoration by the Ayrshire Association of Burns Clubs, then a live performance of the Jolly Beggars Cantata at New Laigh Kirk in Kilmarnock. Monday 21 July offers the chance to follow in Burns footsteps, in an interactive exploration of his links to Kilmarnock, with a guided tour of the Kilmarnock Burns Trail. There's also a 'Tak a Cup o' Kindness Café' at the Robert Burns Federation HQ in the town, plus live music at 3pm. Highlights of Tuesday's programme include an Open Mic Night, on Dunlop Street, while Wednesday sees some fierce competition at the Best Haggis in Ayrshire contest. Butchers from across the region will battle for the coveted prize, with the public invited to join the tasting and cast their vote. On Thursday 24 July, the big event is the Alternative Burns Supper. Offering a twist on the traditional event, it will offer live entertainment, Taste of Scotland samples and free Irn Bru all night. What's not to like? There's also a whisky tasting evening courtesy of Lochlea Distillery on the Friday evening, then a Chieftain's Gala Dinner held on Saturday night in Kilmarnock. And to round the event off, Sunday 27 July sees the Commemoration of the First Edition by dignitaries and Burns experts at a special service in the town. This will be followed by a buffet and a live performance of 'Heart o' a Bonnie Lass' to end the celebrations on a high. With around 30 events to enjoy across the festival – all free to attend with the exception of the Burns Supper and the Gala Dinner – this is a truly inclusive event. And whether you are a Burns enthusiast or a total novice, there's something for everyone to enjoy at the First Edition Festival. Aboon them a' ye tak your place! 1st Edition Festival 19th July –27 July 2025. Saturday 19 July 2025 10:00 Sunday 27 July 2025 13:00 The Robert Burns World Federation Ltd, 3A John Dickie Street, Kilmarnock KA1 1HW
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Lochlea reveals first sherry and peat combination with Cask Strength Batch 3
This year's release is a first in flavour profile for the independently owned distillery in Ayrshire Award winning farm-to-cask Lochlea Distillery has unveiled Cask Strength Batch 3 – the latest release in its annual series of limited-edition cask strength bottlings – and a first in flavour profile for the independently owned distillery. This year's release marks a bold evolution in Lochlea's Cask Strength series, combining rich Oloroso sherry with distinctive Islay peat - a pairing never before explored by the distillery. It also represents a significant milestone for Lochlea's Master Blender Jill Boyd, who joined the distillery in late 2024 and has led the selection and blending of Cask Strength Batch 3 from start to finish. Jill carefully selected whisky that has been matured in a combination of Oloroso Sherry Butts and Ex-Islay peated casks, creating a final spirit that balances richness and depth with a surprising twist of smoke. Cask Strength Batch 3 delivers a captivating nose of ripe red fruits and savoury BBQ smoke, followed by a rich palate of cherries and dark molasses lifted by warming ginger cake, toasted rye and charred wood smoke. The long, layered finish lingers with baking spice, salty smoke, and oaky tannins intertwining with delicate floral notes of red roses to create a bold new take on Lochlea's signature style. Each batch of Lochlea's Cask Strength whiskies are carefully blended and bottled without any dilution, so every sip is just like trying samples from the warehouse itself. This latest release follows Cask Strength Batch 2 released last summer that had been matured in a combination of PX, Oloroso and STR casks showcasing a depth and complexity. The inaugural Cask Strength expression in 2023 was a combination of spirit matured in first-fill Bourbon barrels and Oloroso Sherry casks, working particularly well at high strength to amplify the fruit, nut and cereal flavours that form Lochlea's house spirit style. Jill commented: "I am especially proud of Cask Strength Batch 3 as it has been my first opportunity to curate one of our whiskies from concept to bottle, putting my own mark on our range. I wanted to push the boundaries of our house style with something bold and different. "As many whisky lovers will know, sherry and peat are both hugely popular flavour profiles, and we saw an opportunity to bring them together in a way that feels fresh and bold, yet rooted in our distillery's DNA. "It's complex, it's warming, and it's got a smoky twist making it the perfect dram to enjoy with a BBQ in the sunshine!" Cask Strength Batch 3 will be available from Lochlea stockists from May 29 onwards .It has been bottled at 59.8 per cent and has an RRP of £67.
