Royal Lochnagar 14 Years Old 1997 Cask #DL 8017 (Douglas Laing)

Douglas Laing bottled this Royal Lochnagar single malt, aged 14 year old from 1997, drawn from cask DL 8017 and bottled at 58.7%. Just 676 bottles were filled. Royal Lochnagar, first built in 1845 by John Begg on the Balmoral estate's doorstep in Deeside, is one of only three Royal distilleries. The slogan once ran take a peg of John Begg, and the malt long fed the blends.

The spirit was made in one of Scotch's smallest still pairs, condensed in worm tubs, for a deep, fruity make of unusual weight for its size. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Around the dozen year mark the make gains a sherried depth over orchard fruit. Sherry wood suits the weighty make, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. John Begg invited his royal neighbours over in 1848, in what is claimed as the first distillery tour.

At 58.7%, undiluted, it is deep and weighty. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth, and vanilla and a creamy note from the barrel runs under dried fruit and a malty weight. A dried fruit and a gentle oak spice give it real weight. The finish is rich, spiced and rounded. This is a Highland malt from beside Balmoral.