Royal Lochnagar Distillers Edition

Nose: Primarily apricot and peach scents, complemented by honey, barley sugar, red grape juice, malt extract, and sandalwood. A violet fragrance emerges over time, with occasional hints of something resembling smoke (likely barrel char). The dried-glass aroma is intensely caramelized white sugar. Palate: The initial entry is gentle, very smooth, and inviting. Sweet malt and dried fruit flavors (especially muscatel grapes and sultanas), caramel, and milk chocolate develop on the palate. There's also a jammy taste similar to fruity jelly beans! The texture is creamy and satisfying, offering a profile that is both sweet and mildly tannic. Finish: Moderate to short. A sweet dried fruit and grape aftertaste with subtle sandalwood and oak tannin. Royal Lochnagar previously offered the Distiller's Edition periodically, consistently finished in ex-muscat casks. However, it vanished after the 2000/2012 release with no official explanation. The reason for its disappearance remains unknown. This review is for a bottle from batch RL/98-10U, filled in 1998 and bottled in 2011, which was one of the final batches. It's a sweet, smooth, and well-balanced spirit that is very approachable yet not simple. It also serves excellently as a dessert drink after dinner and pairs well with dried fruits and soft cheese. It bears a resemblance to Balvenie 12 Doublewood, but this spirit is sweeter and more floral. At one point, it was my preferred choice for introducing newcomers. Upon pouring, the spirit exhibits a strong leather and malty character, but this quickly fades, revealing increasing sweetness and smoothness. The finishing was skillfully executed and doesn't overpower the profile. Fundamentally, it's a dry, almost waxy, east-highland style whisky, but the fortified wine adds a carefully calibrated sweetness. Adding water is unnecessary. "Good": 83/100 (3.5 stars)

ROYAL LOCHNAGAR 1998 12YO DISTILLERS EDITION 40% - Second attempt - HONEY VANILLA, CARAMEL MALTY, BARLEY, NO PEPPER 3 MALTY, SUGARY, SWEETNESS, DELICATENESS 3 SHORT OAK 1.5 Rating: 2.5 Royal Lochagar 1998 12YO Distillers Edition 40% Muscat cask Creamy sweetness, berries 3 Light creamy raisin, berries, nutmeg, very smooth 4 Finish: grapes and berries, no smoke 3.5 Overall rating: 3.5

Vanilla with a hint of oloroso that stays on the sides of your tongue. It's refreshing and light, with a subtle oak presence that isn't overwhelming. However, it's not particularly memorable.

It's good, but I had higher expectations. Given the description, I anticipated a fuller and more intricate character. It's not a bottle I would purchase, even though I love the 12-year-old.

Spicy and fruity notes.