Royal Lochnagar 12 Year

Rating: 13/23 I really haven't heard anything about Royal Lochnagar before. Anything at all, actually. Should be interesting. Or possibly very bland and forgettable. N: Surprisingly floral and spicy. Hints of roses, faint anise, dry wood. A little tottori pear and faint bird chili. There's other stuff here, but it's fairly light (but not weak) nose so I'm having some trouble. A little savory earthiness that doesn't come across as rough distillate. P: Quite light with a big prickliness tat turns into a burn and then kind of into harshness. It's sweet and floral (vanilla and light rose) like some sort of divine water, but not terribly complex. Probably some tottori is in the water too. Dried grain comes through and a touch of bird chili savoriness comes out. Aside from that bit of harshness, the palate is soft and balanced. The harshnesss paired with the bird chili fire (though not much bird chili) keeps this from coming across as too watered down, though it is on the border line. Perhaps a dash of white pepper. This lacks the fullness, richness, and complexity of Dalmore 12. which is already not a super complex or full scotch. Side by side, the weakness and wateriness here are apparent. This doesn't have a rough youthfulness, but the grain still does show clearly through and it's flavor is quite mild. F: The more bitter, rich, malty side of the grain comes out with clean water that has lost most of its floral character. Wafts of lime with the smoldering embers of bird chilis. This is a slightly interesting dram that isn't that great but certainly isn't bad. I really like the unique experience on display here, though I probably wouldn't buy a bottle because it seems more like a gimmick. This has a cleaner profile than Highland Park 12 (12) does. Between the two, I think I might actually prefer this. Dalmore 12 (15), is clearly superior though and Pure Scot Virgin Oak (14) is also better. I think it is going to be a 13. This is an odd one, but it has its own personality that withstands its low proof admirably and will find appreciation from some. Blanco and reposado tequila fans in particular might want to check this out.

Here’s another sample from the team effort: (Royal) Lochnagar 12 Year. This is a highland distillery that was awarded a royal warrant from the U.K. royal family that made them the official distillery for the royals for a term of 5 years. I’m not exactly sure who decides this determination, how often it happens, what it brings the distillery/royal family/regular Brit citizens or what the big deal is. It’s a British thing, us ‘Muricans just don’t understand. This one is bottled at the minimum standard of 40% ABV, is light copper in color, appears quite oily but it doesn’t make many legs in the glass. The nose is very fruity, almost artificially so, with oranges and some blackberry jam. There’s an underlying note of tea leaves as well- which doesn’t sit well with me. I was forced to drink so much tea as a kid (no sodas) that I actually can’t stand even the smell of tea as an adult. The palate was again very fruity- orange slices, pears with lots of honey sweetness. There was a nice vanilla creme candies flavor that arrived mid-sip. The lack of barrel notes made this a seriously fruity and overly sweet dram, though. It needs some oak or heat to balance it. Sadly, it’s just not there. The finish is medium in length, turning somewhat dry and leaving those darn tea leaf notes on the tongue. Or perhaps, this was just stuck in my head- I don’t know lol. It was this final statement that turned this pour negative for me. It’s all because of my dislike of tea, though. Overall, I think this would be a decent beginner’s dram for those looking to ease into scotch. The lack of heat and oak will make an experienced drinker probably think less of this one. Me? Well, I can’t handle the tea leaf aspect. I have to rate this one pretty low because of that fact. Thanks to my friend @PBMichiganWolverine for providing this one, but it’s just not for me. I hate to give it a crashing score, so I’ll just rate it middle of the road and move on.

Stop number 70 on the SDT is Royal Lochnagar. Lochnagar was the first distillery to ever receive a Royal warrant, which basically means it was the first to provide scotch to the Royal Palace, and thus granted the title “Royal” Lochnagar. This 12 year old Highland single malt is bottled at 40% ABV and is chill filtered and has colorant added making it an amber color. Fresh stone fruits on the nose. Apricots and red plums. Oranges, tangerines and marmalade. Melons, strawberries , blackberries and a touch of vanilla. A light but elegant oak. Typical Highland profile so far. Floral honey, light mint and herbs. A little nutmeg and ginger. Strong notes for only 40%. A sherry sweetness with maple syrup and some cherries forms after a while. The faintest trace of wood smoke and a strange aromatic note I can’t quite place. Not bad at all. The palate echoes the nose with the apricots and tangerines. Honey, herbal tea and light oak. Licorice, ginger and light vanilla. Not a very complex palate, but that’s not always a bad thing. A medium-light bodied mouthfeel, mouth coating, a little creamy and dry. The finish is medium length, very dry with apricots, oak and herbal tea. A strong flavor profile given the low ABV which brings to mind the Cragganmore 12 year old. I know that one is from Speyside, but it’s also at 40% and has strong flavors. A really nice and fruity nose, but the palate and finish fall a little short. For around $50 it’s a pretty good value, but there are better bottles out there. Would have been a 3.75 were it not for the very dry finish and the shortcomings of the palate. So a 3.5 it is. Thanks to @PBMichiganWolverine for the sample. Cheers

Nose: Initially the nose is spritzy and very like apple cider with lots of orchard notes (pears and red apple skins). Over time, as it rests in the glass, grassy and cereal notes emerge together with some vanilla, a little oak and soft honey. Overall it brings to mind the smell of freshly baked apple pies, with grain being harvested in the distance. [The dry-glass aroma is cereal/fruity and very slightly smoky] Palate: Sweet, creamy arrival with a mild dusty malt note. Lots of sweet apples in the development (again, rather like apple cider) and a touch of very soft ginger spice. There are further orchard fruit and nutty flavours as it progresses and the texture is slightly creamy with the faintest taste of smoke. Finish: Medium/short. Fruity/sweet and fading into an aftertaste of weak black tea and golden syrup. A straightforward, unassuming malt that makes up for a lack of complexity by virtue of its disarming approachability. When it used to be available, the Royal Lochnagar Distiller's Edition was my whisky of choice for introducing novices to scotch single malt or as the first malt in a tasting flight. This is not as good as that expression, but it is still arguably better as a starter than the usual choices of Glenfiddich 12 or Glenmorangie Original. At the price it is reasonable value as an everyday dram. Along with Strathisla 12 it is also one of my favourite nightcap drams when I'm in the mood for something particularly sweet, easy and relaxing. "Above Average" : 80/100 (3 stars)

Finished the week. Hanging in there on my March Madness pools. The weather is still cold (ugh!). Time to pour this sample provided @PBMichiganWolverine. I have never had a Royal Lochnager before nor have I ever seen one on any shelf. I am not sure what to expect. Straight up: the nose is heather, honey, floral, apricots, coconut, marshmallows, orange marmalade. A touch pinch of cinnamon spice harkens in the depths. A light honey-tea sweetness arrives first on the palate. As the sweetness subsides, dashes of white pepper spice and peat bring the next wave of flavors. Orange and apricots lurk about faintly. This is all wrapped in a medium-light body. What’s left is a drying palate with bitter orange and ginger root with a touch of char. A warming soul sensation keeps a nice comfy feeling on this cold winter evening. This is not an overly complex dram, but it does deliver some good nose and flavor. Not balanced in a ying-yang way, but in a linear way. If this is a $45 to $50 whisky, this a good pour (don’t know the cost). Worthy of a try. [85/100][Tasted: 3/16/18]

This one quite surprised me. I thought it was going to be one of those Diageo's mediocre 12yo malt expressions, but actually it was very good. When the game of thrones expressions came out, the one from this distillery was going up in prices like crazy so i got the impression they had something good, but then i read some reviews about this whisky and the reactions were mixed. Had to try for myself, this are my notes: Bottled at 40%abv On the nose, it is almost perfect, that is why this whisky has a good score: Cherries, Caramel; the most beautifuo vanilla aroma i have ever encountered on a dram. sugar, Lemon, Oranges, Apricot, Peach and Cinnamon. Very nice. On the palate, things are enough good to deserve some points, but it is not as near as good as the nose was. Peaches, apples and Vanilla. That's it. Aftertaste has a sider / apple note. A lovely and clean fruity finish. Overall this dram is a solid 86 over 100, due to its amazing aroma. It can be so much better in the palate, but stills manages to pass the exam.