Lochlea Small Batch Single Malt Scotch Whisky STR ImpEx US Exclusive
60% ABV (120 proof) | 700mL | No age statement | Double-matured in American oak STR casks | ImpEx Beverages USA-exclusive, limited bottling — Lochlea Small Batch STR is a cask-strength single malt from Lochlea Distillery on Lochlea Farm in South Ayrshire, Scotland — bottled exclusively for ImpEx Beverages for the United States. The whisky was first filled into refill bourbon barrels, then double-matured in American oak STR casks — "STR" meaning shaved, toasted and re-charred. ImpEx married just three casks together, a combination never seen from the distillery and never to be repeated. Non-chill filtered, no added color. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
Lochlea is one of Scotland's newest farm distilleries — an independent, family-owned operation founded in 2015 by Neil and Jen McGeoch on land that was poet Robert Burns's own farm in the 1780s. Every drop is grain-to-glass from barley grown on the estate, under Production Director John Campbell (formerly Laphroaig's distillery manager, with 28+ years in whisky). Among cask-strength Scotch whiskies, few offer this kind of single-estate provenance at this price. The STR finish gives it the toasted, re-charred depth of American oak on top of Lochlea's fruit-forward Lowland spirit — and it scored 93 points in Whisky Advocate's Summer 2025 issue.
Tasting notes
Official distillery notes — nose: fresh cantaloupe melon, rich Manuka honey. Palate: subtle nutmeg spice, white pepper. Finish: warm malted bread and butter. Whisky Advocate (93 pts) adds vanilla, baking bread, light salinity and a burnt-oak note.
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- 60% ABV (120 proof) cask-strength single malt
- ImpEx Beverages USA-exclusive — just three married casks, limited run
- Double-matured in STR (shaved, toasted, re-charred) American oak casks
- Grain-to-glass: estate-grown barley at Lochlea Farm, Lowlands, Scotland
- 93 points — Whisky Advocate, Summer 2025
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
At 60% ABV this drinks best with a few drops of water to open the fruit — Whisky Advocate found it approachable neat, with water drawing out a more prominent pepperiness. A Glencairn is ideal.
Frequently asked questions
What does STR mean on a whisky label?
STR stands for "shaved, toasted and re-charred" — a cask rejuvenation method where old casks are shaved back to fresh wood, toasted, and re-charred before refilling.
Is Lochlea whisky chill filtered?
No — this bottling is non-chill filtered with no added color.
How old is the Lochlea STR ImpEx exclusive?
It carries no age statement — it's a marriage of three selected casks chosen by ImpEx Beverages, released January 2025.
Is it available outside the US?
No — this bottling is exclusive to the United States through ImpEx Beverages.