A limited-edition whisky has been released by Balmoral Castle in advance of King Charles III's coronation.
The Balmoral Castle and Estate Distillery has worked closely with the Royal Lochnagar Distillery to release a commemorative 18 year old whisky. The whisky is taken from carefully chosen barrels at the Royal Lochnagar Distillery, which is only a mile from Balmoral. Balmoral is where Charles took the throne after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, passed away. The first two bottles were given by Balmoral to Prince William, Duke of Rothesay, and His Majesty The King in handmade cases on Balmoral Estate Caledonian pine plinths.
There are only 1000 bottles that will be available for purchase available on the Balmoral website so act quickly. One of these bottles will set you back a cool £360.00. The whisky has an ABV of 48% in an ode to the year Charles was born (1948) and the year the Royal Family first visited Royal Lochnagar (1848).
“We have put all of our skill, craft and heritage into creating this exquisite, rare whisky for Balmoral, and we are honoured to play a part in their celebration of the Coronation of His Majesty The King.” ~ Ewan Andrew, grantee of the Royal Warrant held by Royal Lochnagar
This delicious whisky's Highland-style reflects the local pine trees and green, flowery landscape. For this limited release, just five barrels were chosen. After a lengthy, delicate ageing in refill casks—European oak butts for richness and an American oak hogshead for sweetness—the distillery flavour still shines after 18 years.
The medium-bodied tongue is sweet and malty, with a lot of fresh fruit, creamy butterscotch, and oak spice towards the finish. The aroma reveals delicate notes of orchard fruits, freshly cut grass, and orange peel with dried ginger and liquorice.
About Royal Lochnagar Distillery
The Royal Lochnagar Distillery is a Scottish whisky distillery located near the village of Crathie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The distillery is situated on the banks of the River Dee and is adjacent to Balmoral Castle, the Scottish residence of the British royal family.
The Royal Lochnagar Distillery was founded in 1845 by John Begg, who was granted a royal warrant by Queen Victoria in 1848. The distillery has since been granted a second royal warrant by Queen Elizabeth II.
The distillery produces a range of single malt whiskies, which are aged in oak casks for a minimum of 12 years. Its flagship product is the Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old, which is described as having a light, fruity flavour with hints of oak and spice.
In addition to producing whisky, the Royal Lochnagar Distillery offers tours of its facilities, which include a museum detailing the history of the distillery and the whisky-making process. The distillery also has a visitor centre, a gift shop, and a tasting room, where visitors can sample its whiskies.
The Royal Lochnagar Distillery is considered one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland, with a production capacity of just 450,000 litres per year. However, its location near Balmoral Castle and its royal warrants have made it a popular destination for tourists visiting the area.
Shop Royal Lochnagar Whiskies.
About Balmoral Castle
Balmoral is the name of a famous Scottish castle located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is one of the residences of the British royal family and has been a private property of the British monarchy since it was purchased by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1852.
The castle itself was built in the 14th century and was originally owned by the Earls of Huntly. It was later acquired by the Farquharson family in the 16th century and remained in their possession until it was purchased by Queen Victoria.
Balmoral Castle is set within extensive grounds and gardens, which include a variety of trees, plants, and wildlife. The estate covers an area of approximately 50,000 acres and includes moors, hills, and forests. It is also home to a variety of wildlife, including red deer, golden eagles, and ospreys.
