Royal Lochnagar The Distillers Edition 12 Years Old 1998

A distillery bottling of Royal Lochnagar from the The Distillers Edition, a 12 year old Highland malt from 1998, drawn from cask RL/98-10U and bottled at 40%. Royal Lochnagar, built in 1845 by John Begg near Balmoral Castle in the eastern Highlands, is one of only three Royal distilleries. John Begg invited his royal neighbours over, and the 1848 visit is claimed as the first ever distillery tour.

Distilled in a tiny pair of copper stills and condensed in traditional worm tubs, giving a weighty, fruity spirit with real depth. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the malt and fruit lead. Around the dozen year mark the make gains a sherried depth over orchard fruit. Years in oak round the spirit, the toffee and dried fruit deepening with age. Royal Deeside has been royal country since Victoria and Albert bought Balmoral. For all its tiny size, the make carries a real mid palate weight.

Bottled at 40%, it is rounded. The refill oak lending honey and vanilla, with apple, malt and a gentle spice. The texture is full and rounded, the fruit lifted by toffee. The finish is rich, spiced and rounded. This is a robust, sherried Highland single malt.