Royal Lochnagar Rare Malts Selection 23 Years Old 1973

This Royal Lochnagar, an official release part of the Rare Malts Selection, a 23 year old from 1973 and bottled at 59.7%. Royal Lochnagar was built in 1845 by John Begg on Royal Deeside, beside Balmoral, and it won a royal warrant after Queen Victoria visited in 1848. Queen Victoria is said to have laced her claret with the make.

It was worked through small stills and worm tubs that build real weight, for the robust yet refined make Royal Lochnagar is known for. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, gentle American oak beneath the fruit. Long ageing brings a deep dried fruit character and a mellow oak spice. Long ageing builds a sherried richness over the malty Highland spirit. Two small stills and worm tubs build a weight unusual for a distillery this size. The malt long fed the John Begg and Johnnie Walker blends before its single malt fame. It is one of only three distilleries permitted to carry the Royal name.

At a hearty 59.7% it carries real body. A robust, fruity sweetness sit alongside a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. It is robust and deep, the malty spirit shining through. It closes long, fruity and warming. This is Royal Lochnagar's full bodied Highland style.