Distillery
Royal Lochnagar
Royal Lochnagar is a small single malt distillery located in Royal Deeside, near Balmoral (Crathie, Aberdeenshire) and part of the Diageo group; it is best known for the Royal Lochnagar 12 Years expression, also available in a giftbox.
- Crathie (Ballater, Aberdeenshire) · Highlands · Scotland (United Kingdom)
- Since 1845
The story
The current site dates to 1845, when John Begg rebuilt the location after earlier fires; the distillery received its first Royal Warrant in 1848 following a visit by the royal family and has since maintained a historic link with Balmoral. Today ownership and management are tied to Diageo and the facility is located within the Abergeldie estate.
Production philosophy
Small-scale production with attention to traditional practices: typical Highland single malt methods, emphasis on the quality of origin and on the visitor experience, with tours and a visitor centre that explain the history and production techniques.
Territory
Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire (Crathie, near Balmoral Castle) in the Scottish Highlands.
Production method
Traditional single malt method: use of an open mash tun, pagoda kiln heads and distillation in pot stills. The site operates a small wash still and a small spirit still, consistent with the distillery's low-volume production.
Distillation
Distillation in pot stills (discontinuous stills); 1 wash still and 1 spirit still (small-scale plant).
Ageing
Aged in oak casks; some expressions undergo a second maturation/finish in wine casks (for example the Distillers Edition with a Moscatel finish).
Characteristics
- Type
- Distillery
- City
- Crathie (Ballater, Aberdeenshire)
- Categories
- Scotch whisky
- Highland single malt
- Classic Malts (brand of the Diageo group)
- Raw materials
- malted barley
- Casks and ageing vessels
- oak casks (general)
- Muscatel / Moscatel casks (used for the Distillers Edition)
- Representative products
- Royal Lochnagar 12 Years 70cl - Giftbox
- Royal Lochnagar Distillers Edition (double-matured, editions with Moscatel finish)
- Royal Lochnagar Selected Reserve
What makes it distinctive
- Historic Royal Warrant (first granted in the 19th century).
- Small-sized distillery with limited production within the Diageo group.
- Located a few kilometres from the Balmoral Estate, with a long-standing link to the royal family.
- Best-known commercial expression: Royal Lochnagar 12 Years.
Products from Royal Lochnagar
Full collectionThere are currently no products available from this producer.