Royal Lochnagar 13 Years Old 1997 Cask #DL 6290 (Douglas Laing)

This is a Royal Lochnagar single malt, chosen and bottled by Douglas Laing, a 13 year old Highland malt from 1997, drawn from cask DL 6290 and bottled at 50%. The outturn was 380 bottles. Royal Lochnagar was founded in 1845 on Royal Deeside, beside Balmoral; it became Royal Lochnagar by warrant of Queen Victoria in 1848. It is one of only three distilleries permitted to carry the Royal name.

It was worked through small stills and worm tubs that build real weight, for the robust yet refined make Royal Lochnagar is known for. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. Mid age brings a fuller toffee and a deeper dried fruit note. Refill oak lets the robust distillery character lead, fruit over malt. Queen Victoria is said to have laced her claret with the make after that visit. The distillery sits at the foot of Lochnagar, the mountain that gives it its name.

At a hearty 50% it carries real body. Baked apple and toffee meet a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. Soft orchard fruit and toffee sit behind the sweetness. Orchard fruit and toffee draw out the close. This is the smallest of Diageo's distilleries.