Royal Lochnagar 17 Years Old

This official Royal Lochnagar single malt matured to 17 year old and bottled at 56.3%. Just 3000 bottles were filled. Royal Lochnagar was established in 1845 at the foot of Lochnagar, by Balmoral; the 1848 royal visit made it Royal Lochnagar. It is the smallest distillery in Diageo's stable, tucked beside Balmoral.

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. Beyond seventeen years the malt grows deep and sherried, dried fruit and oak spice over toffee. The robust spirit takes ex-Sherry casks particularly well. 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. John Begg invited his royal neighbours over in 1848, in what is claimed as the first distillery tour.

Bottled at a cask strength 56.3%, it is rich. The Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry bring raisin, date, fig and walnut, and butterscotch and a fruity lift meet honeyed oak sweetness underneath. Beneath it run apple, malt and a warm spice. Orchard fruit and toffee draw out the close. This is the royal malt of Deeside.