Royal Lochnagar The Distillers Edition 12 Years Old 2000

An official Royal Lochnagar single malt part of the The Distillers Edition, a 12 year old release from 2000, drawn from cask RL/00-12W and bottled at 40%. Set in Crathie on Royal Deeside, Royal Lochnagar has distilled since 1845. The slogan once ran take a peg of John Begg, and the malt long fed the blends.

It was drawn off two small stills, the spirit cooled in cast iron worm tubs, for a rich, malty spirit with a fruity lift. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. At twelve to sixteen years the fruit deepens into toffee, dried fruit and a warm spice. Worm tub condensing builds the mid palate weight the distillery is known for. Queen Victoria is said to have laced her claret with the make after that visit. The distillery sits at the foot of Lochnagar, the mountain that gives it its name. Water is drawn from springs in the Deeside hills above the River Dee.

At 40% it is soft, malty and fruity. A gentle vanilla from the wood runs under dried fruit and a malty weight. A dried fruit and a gentle oak spice give it real weight. A warming, malty finish lingers. This is a Highland malt from beside Balmoral.