Royal Lochnagar 13 Years Old 1992 Cask #3617 (Blackadder)

Bottled by Blackadder, this Royal Lochnagar, a 13 year old from 1992, drawn from cask 3617 and bottled at 60.2%. 571 bottles in all. Opened in 1845 at the foot of Lochnagar, by Balmoral, Royal Lochnagar is Diageo's smallest distillery. Queen Victoria is said to have laced her claret with the make.

Distilled slowly in small copper stills with worm tubs for body, building the robust Highland style it is loved for. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the malty spirit. By this age the malty spirit rounds into butterscotch and sherried fruit. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the malty, fruity core over time. Royal Deeside has been royal country since Victoria and Albert bought Balmoral. For all its tiny size, the make carries a real mid palate weight. Royal Lochnagar is the smallest distillery in Diageo's portfolio, beside Balmoral.

Bottled at a cask strength 60.2%, it is rich. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth, and a robust, fruity sweetness sit alongside honeyed oak sweetness underneath. It is robust and deep, the malty spirit shining through. It finishes deep, robust and fruity. This is Royal Lochnagar's full bodied Highland style.