Royal Lochnagar 12 Years Old (43%)

A distillery bottling of Royal Lochnagar, a 12 year old and bottled at 43%. Royal Lochnagar was first built in 1845 by John Begg near Balmoral Castle in the eastern Highlands, and Victoria and Albert's 1848 visit brought the royal warrant. Water is drawn from springs in the hills of Lochnagar, the mountain that gives the name.

Distilled in a tiny pair of copper stills and condensed in traditional worm tubs, giving a weighty, fruity spirit with real depth. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed sweetness. At twelve to sixteen years the fruit deepens into toffee, dried fruit and a warm spice. Years in oak round the spirit, the toffee and dried fruit deepening with age. Water is drawn from springs in the Deeside hills above the River Dee. 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.

At an easy 43% it is gentle. The refill oak lending honey and vanilla, with green apple and a malty depth. The mouthfeel is weighty, the fruit carried on a malty body. A long, sherried finish carries a fruity lift. This is a characterful Highland malt of real weight.