Balmoral Castle & Estate has launched an exclusive limited Balmoral Coronation Edition Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky in celebration of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III

In recognition of The King’s long and fond association with Royal Deeside, the whisky is drawn from specially selected casks from Royal Lochnagar Distillery, a mile from Balmoral, the Scottish home of the Royal Family.

The first two bottles, in bespoke cases on plinths of Caledonian pine from the Balmoral Estate, have been presented by Balmoral to HM The King and HRH The Prince William, Duke of Rothesay.   

A further 1000 individually numbered bottles, bearing a gold engraving of His Majesty’s Scottish Cypher, are available for purchase exclusively via www.balmoralcastle.com from today (Monday 1st May) and then at the Balmoral Gift Shop from the day of the Coronation (Saturday 6th May), priced at £360 per a bottle. One bottle will be retained as a commemorative record by the Royal Lochnagar Archive.

A spokesperson for Balmoral, said: “We are delighted to have worked with Royal Lochnagar Distillery, our neighbour here on Royal Deeside, to create such an exceptional whisky for our Balmoral Coronation Edition in celebration of the historic crowning of His Majesty King Charles III.”

Ewan Andrew, Grantee of the Royal Warrant held by Royal Lochnagar, said: “Everyone associated with Royal Lochnagar Distillery is very proud of our roots in the Royal Deeside community.

“We have put all of our skill, craft and heritage into creating this exquisite, rare whisky for Balmoral, and we are honoured to play a part in their celebration of the Coronation of His Majesty The King.”

The Highland style of this celebratory whisky evokes the pine forests and grassy, floral nature of the surrounding area.  Only five casks were chosen for this exclusive release.  Aged 18 years, the distillery character still shines, mellowed by a long, gentle maturation in refill casks: European oak butts for richness and an American oak hogshead for sweetness.

On the nose, delicate notes of orchard fruits, freshly cut grass and orange peel emerge with dried ginger and liquorice; the medium-bodied palate is sweet and malty, with an abundance of fresh fruit, creamy butterscotch and oak spice towards the finish.

This whisky is bottled at a strength of 48% abv. This is a reference to both the year His Majesty was born (1948), and the first visit from Balmoral to Royal Lochnagar by the Royal Family - Queen Victoria & Prince Albert – in 1848; it is also the optimal strength for the perfect balance of flavours; with water, the light, fruity notes become more apparent.

Further information on visiting Balmoral and the Balmoral Coronation Edition is available at www.balmoralcastle.com

Information on visiting Royal Lochnagar Distillery is available at www.royallochnagardistillery.com.

 About Royal Lochnagar

Royal Lochnagar distillery originally opened in 1845 as Lochnagar, named after the nearby mountain of the same name. It was renamed Royal Lochnagar following a visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert from Balmoral Castle in 1848.  Situated a mile from Balmoral Castle on Royal Deeside, the distillery has enjoyed an association with Balmoral and the Royal Family throughout its history.

Royal Lochnagar has been honoured to welcome His Majesty The King to the distillery on three official occasions: in 1995 to mark the 150th anniversary of the distillery; in 1998, 150 years after the visit by Queen Victoria & Prince Albert; and most recently in 2018, both for the 170th anniversary of that first royal visit and to receive a 1988 cask as it turned 30 years old, which was bottled on His Majesty’s 70th birthday to raise funds for The Prince’s Foundation.

 Royal Lochnagar was proud to be granted a Royal Warrant as Scotch Whisky Distillers By Appointment to Queen Elizabeth II in 2021.

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).

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About Diageo 

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray, and Guinness. 

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. 

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