Whisky: Royal Lochnagar 16 Year (2004) 2021 Special Release

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland

ABV: 57.5%

Cask: Refill American and European Oak

Age: 16 Years (Distilled 2004, Bottled 2021)

Nose: Wood and vanilla, herbal tea, grapefruit and apples, salt, more herbal spice with time.

Palate: Medium-bodied, slightly waxy, citrusy, kiss of salt and slightly drying pith, charred wood, herbal spice, vanilla and orchard fruit at the end.

Finish: Medium-length and slightly drying with citrus, salt, and herbs.

Score: 6-7

Mental Image: Novel Citrus Soda

Narrative & Notes: Weathered driftwood, wood oils, vanilla, and old charred wood developed first on the nose before more herbal notions of tea chests and dried hibiscus flowers arrived. Time brought more fruit to the fore, citrusy grapefruit, gala apples, pears, and a kiss of old pinewood campfire. Subtle maritime salt came on with an herbal spice— a batch of pickle brine in the next room? Medium-bodied, the flavor profile featured a sweet and tart citrusy blast to start as lemons, limes, and grapefruit burst with their subtle waxy rind. An undercurrent of salt carried on with citrus pith, charred wood, and dry herbal spices. Wood arrived near the end with vanilla, pears, and apples. Medium-length and slightly drying, the finish featured citrus, salt, and herbal pickling spice.

My first Royal Lochnagar! I have had a lot of whiskies over the years— or at least tasted and written up notes about a lot— and this was my first time tasting one of the absolute mainstays for Johnny Walker Blue Label. The distillery is one of a handful with a Royal Warrant and one of the smaller distilleries in the Diageo portfolio.

I thought the flavors present here were an absolutely fascinating combination of wood-driven vanilla and then maltier citrus and orchard fruit with an almost savory spice underneath it all. The wife described it as “pears and old campfire” and reckoned that the wood influence ran right up to the edge of what she enjoys without ever dominating too much. I am inclined to agree, though considering the maturation here specifically used refill barrels, I was surprised there was such a woody current to this.

Overall, I do not have much to compare this with since it was my first Royal Lochnagar. I thought it was an interesting malt and engaged with flavors I enjoy, so I will certainly keep an eye out to try another soon.