Region: Highland | |
---|---|
Location | Lochnagar, Royal Deeside |
Owner | Diageo |
Founded | January 1845 |
Founder | John Begg |
Water source | Springs in the hills of Lochnagar [1] |
No. of stills | 1 wash still (6,700 L) 1 spirit still (3,720 L) |
Capacity | 450,000 litres |
Website | Royal Lochnagar |
Royal Lochnagar distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery based on the Abergeldie Estate, near Balmoral Castle in Royal Deeside. [2] [3] It is close to the mountain Lochnagar. [1] The distillery is in the Highland whisky-producing area of Scotland. The distillery holds a Royal Warrant. [4] [5]
The first Lochnagar distillery was built by James Robertson of Crathie in the early 19th century. [3] However, it burnt down in suspicious circumstances in 1824. [3] A second and third replacement distillery was built and respectively burnt down again in 1826 and then 1841, supposedly by illicit competitors. [3] [6] In 1845, John Begg founded and built the "new" Lochnagar distillery which is the basis of the distillery in operation today. [6] [3] [5]
The distillery was awarded its Royal Warrant in 1848 when John Begg invited Prince Albert to visit the distillery from the nearby Balmoral Castle, the Queen's residence in the Highlands. The next day the distillery was visited by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their three eldest children. The distillery was then renamed as Royal Lochnagar three years following Queen Victoria's visit. [7] [5] The distillery sold whisky under the name John Begg until the late 20th century (under the slogan 'Take a peg of John Begg'. [3] The distillery remained in direct family ownership until 1902 when it became a private limited company. [3] In 1916, the company was acquired by DCL. [1] Until 1963, waterwheels and a steam engine powered the site. [8]
Today Royal Lochnagar is leased by Diageo from the Abergeldie Estate and is the smallest whisky distillery in Diageo's holdings. [3] The present site is largely incorporated in its original farm and steadings, composed of Aberdeenshire granite stone. [8]
The distillery produces a relatively small amount of whisky, most of which is used in Johnnie Walker black and blue label. As well as in use for blends by Diageo, the distillery produces a standard 12 year old single malt for public sale that is bottled at 40% abv. [9]
In June 2022, the distillery released a special edition whisky, known as the 'Balmoral platinum edition' for the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II. [10] [4]
Single malt Scotch refers to single malt whisky made in Scotland. To qualify for this category, a whisky must have been distilled at a single distillery using a pot still distillation process and made from a mash of malted barley. Therefore, a single malt means that the whisky has not been blended elsewhere with whisky from other distilleries. As with any Scotch whisky, a single malt Scotch must be distilled in Scotland and matured in oak casks in Scotland for at least three years, although most single malts are matured longer.
Royal Brackla distillery is a Highland Scotch whisky distillery on the Cawdor Estate, near Nairn in Scotland. The distillery is operated by John Dewar & Sons Ltd for Bacardi.
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Talisker distillery is an island single malt Scotch whisky distillery based in Carbost, Scotland on the Minginish Peninsula on the Isle of Skye.
Diageo plc is a British multinational alcoholic beverage company, with its headquarters in London, England. It operates from 132 sites around the world. It is a major distributor of Scotch whisky and other spirits. Distilleries owned by Diageo produce 40% of all Scotch whisky with over 24 brands, such as Johnnie Walker, J&B and Old Parr.
Johnnie Walker is a brand of Scotch whisky produced by Diageo in Scotland. It was established in the Scottish burgh of Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire in 1820, and continued to be produced and bottled at the town's Hill Street plant, once the world's largest bottling plant, until its closure in 2012, a decision announced by Diageo in 2009 which would bring the 190 year association between the brand and Kilmarnock to an end.
Lochnagar or Beinn Chìochan is a mountain in the Mounth, in the Grampians of Scotland. It is about five miles south of the River Dee near Balmoral. It is a popular hill with hillwalkers, and is a noted venue for summer and winter climbing.
William Grant & Sons Ltd is an independent, family-owned Scottish company that distills Scotch whisky and other selected categories of spirits. It was established in 1887 by William Grant, and is run by Grant's descendants as of 2018. It is the largest of the handful of Scotch whisky distillers remaining in family ownership.
Crathie is a village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It stands on the north bank of the River Dee.
Vat 69 is a blended Scotch whisky produced by Diageo in Scotland. It was created by William Sanderson & Son Limited of South Queensferry, Scotland.
Glendullan distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Dufftown, Scotland in the Speyside region. Glendullan is owned by Diageo.
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Roseisle distillery is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky distillery, in Roseisle, near Elgin, Morayshire, in the Strathspey region of Scotland.
Royal Lochnagar.