There are only three distilleries who can claim to be “royal”: Royal Brackla, Glenury Royal and Royal Lochnagar, the favourite distillery of Queen Victoria. It’s Diageo’s smallest operational distillery and bottlings are quite rare. There’s an official 12 year old and the Selected Reserve from 2008 (half sherry, half bourbon, around 18yo).

Royal Lochnagar 19yo 1990 (54,6%, Duncan Taylor Rare Auld 2009, cask #356, 259 btl.)

Nose: starting rather mineral and grassy but the fruit comes out after a while, mainly zesty citrus. Heather honey. There’s a delicious peat base, hints of wet rocks and sawdust. Spicy edge (ginger, mint, even chives). Classy Highland character I would say. Mouth: powerful attack, starts on fruit cake. Evolves on oranges, some liquorice. Grassy notes as well, mixed with lemon marmalade. Hints of violets and rosemary. Finish: rather long and hot. Getting grassy and lemony again. Dark caramel in the aftertaste.

A very solid Highland malt with some intriguing aromas. A Royal Lochnagar to recommend! 
Around € 85.

Score: 88/100