Royal Lochnagar Triple Matured Edition

A distillery bottling of Royal Lochnagar and bottled at 48%. A release of 3000 bottles. Royal Lochnagar was built in 1845 by John Begg in Crathie on Royal Deeside, and Queen Victoria's 1848 visit earned it the Royal name. John Begg invited his royal neighbours over, and the 1848 visit is claimed as the first ever distillery tour.

It was drawn off two small stills, the spirit cooled in cast iron worm tubs, for a rich, malty spirit with a fruity lift. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, gentle American oak beneath the fruit. Carrying no age, it leans on toffee, dried fruit and a warm spice. The cool Deeside climate gives a slow, even maturation over many years. Unusually, casks are still filled on the premises, straight from the still. The robust, fruity make takes sherry wood especially well. A short fermentation and slow distillation give a deep, characterful spirit. The distillery stayed in the Begg family until it passed to John Dewar and Sons.

At a natural 48% it is full and robust. A gentle vanilla from the wood, with apple, malt and a gentle spice. The texture is full and rounded, the fruit lifted by toffee. A long, sherried finish carries a fruity lift. This is a robust, sherried Highland single malt.