Scotland's Majestic Malts - Coronation 2023
Visit Edinburgh with a Royal Theme
Here at The Scotch Whisky Experience we are fortunate to have the best address in EH1: “The Royal Mile”. At the top of Castlehill our majestic neighour, Edinburgh Castle starts the regal theme, home to monarchs back into the mists of time. Bookending the Royal Mile at the foot is the Palace of Holyrood House which is still the residence of the royal family today. Of course, the city is also home to a floating royal residence; The Royal Yacht Britannia, fittingly moored in the port of Leith where many monarchs through history have disembarked.
To commemorate The King’s Coronation in May 2023, visitors to the Scotch Whisky Experience can enjoy some specially selected whiskies which, through the ages, have been given the royal seal of approval. A special version of the Gold Tour entitled Scotland’s Majestic Malts is available every day throughout May highlighting the regal heritage of Scotch Whisky.
Scotch Whisky – a Royal Heritage
The Royal Family has had a close relationship with the “Water of Life” throughout the centuries. Medieval and renaissance monarchs ordered “aqua vitae” for their courts and King George IV demanded his favourite (illicit!) Scotch during his visit hosted by Sir Walter Scott. Queen Victoria established her Scottish home in whisky country at Balmoral and royal connections run right up to the present day.
Here is a glimpse into some of the tales to discover:
King George IV requested Glenlivet by name when he visited Scotland in 1822, in spite of the fact that it was produced illicitly! This led to Glenlivet, the valley of the river Livet, becoming synonymous with the best Scotch resulting in many distilleries adding the suffix Glenlivet to their brand name, until they were challenged by law. A joke of the time called Glenlivet “the longest glen in Scotland” on account of the number of whiskies using the name!
Royal Lochnagar resides in the heart of Royal Deeside, close to the river Dee. It became the favoured tipple of Queen Victoria when she made her home at Balmoral near the distillery. In 1848 the distillery owner invited Prince Albert to visit, and just the following day, accompanied by Queen Victoria and their three oldest children the royal visitors were given what must have been the first distillery guided tour. Local licensed grocers, Chivas brothers were the official suppliers of provisions to Balmoral Castle and the creators of Chivas Regal. The 21 year old version Royal Salute was created to celebrate the Queen’s coronation in 1953.
Royal Brackla was the first Scotch whisky ever granted a Royal Warrant, by King William IV in 1833 and became the whisky of the Royal Household. Nestled on the estate of Cawdor Castle, it is one of only three distilleries to have been given the right to use “Royal” in the distillery name, the others being Royal Lochnagar and the now closed Glenury Royal.
The Dalmore The Dalmore’s heritage dates back to 1263 when the Chief of the Clan Mackenzie, saved King Alexander III from the fury of a charging stag. In recognition, the King granted the clan the right to use the 12-pointed royal stag emblem on their coat of arms, and not on each bottle of Dalmore.
Lindores Almost every medieval and renaissance monarch seems to have visited the Abbey at Lindores and its distillery. In 1365 King David and his hundred-strong Royal Household stayed at Lindores for a week over the Christmas period. The guests and their horses had to be sheltered and fed, with all festivities laid on for the Royal party. Leaving without reimbursing the Abbot for the massive outlays, the monastery was left almost bankrupt until the expenses were settled following the king’s death.
Laphroaig is reputed to be the favourite malt of King Charles, and bears the Royal Seal of the Prince of Wales. Spending summers on the royal yacht Britannia cruising Scotland’s remote islands, the royal family most certainly have a love for the peace and solitude of the Isle of Islay. King Charles also carries the title “Lord of the Isles” and spent his 60th birthday celebrations on the island.
Scotland’s Majestic Malts, available throughout the month of May, book our GOLD TOUR and ask for your special tasting on arrival.