Royal Lochnagar Rare Malts Selection 30 Years Old 1974

An official Royal Lochnagar single malt from the Rare Malts Selection, aged 30 year old from 1974 and bottled at 56.2%. Opened in 1845 near Balmoral Castle in the eastern Highlands, Royal Lochnagar is Diageo's smallest distillery. The slogan once ran take a peg of John Begg, and the malt long fed the blends.

Distilled in a tiny pair of copper stills and condensed in traditional worm tubs, giving a weighty, fruity spirit with real depth. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. Past seventeen years the spirit turns rich and waxy while keeping its fruit. Casks are filled on site, the spirit going straight from still to wood. 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. The distillery stayed in the Begg family until it passed to John Dewar and Sons.

At its natural 56.2% it is concentrated. The refill oak lending honey and vanilla runs under dried fruit and a malty weight. A dried fruit and a gentle oak spice give it real weight. The finish runs malty, spiced and rich. This is a Highland malt from beside Balmoral.