Royal Lochnagar 12 Years Old – House Baratheon

This Royal Lochnagar, an official release, aged 12 year old and bottled at 40%. Founded in 1845 on the south bank of the Dee below Lochnagar, Royal Lochnagar is Diageo's smallest distillery. Unusually, it is the only Diageo distillery still to fill its own casks on site.

The spirit was run slow through small stills and worm tub condensers for a robust make, to build the full bodied, sherry friendly character at its heart. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, lending honey and vanilla. By this age the malty spirit rounds into butterscotch and sherried fruit. The full bodied new make carries cask character well across long maturation. It is one of only three distilleries permitted to carry the Royal name. 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.

At 40% it is clean and robust. Toffee, pear and a warm spice sit alongside soft vanilla and cream from the cask. A baked apple and a warm spice lift it. It finishes deep, robust and fruity. This is the regal little malt of Lochnagar.