Royal Lochnagar Distillery granted Royal Warrant

Scotch whisky maker the Royal Lochnagar Distillery has been granted a Royal Warrant.

As a whisky distiller to Her Majesty the Queen, Royal Lochnagar is permitted to display the Royal Arms on bottles of its Highland single malt Scotch whiskies and at its distillery, located just a mile from Her Majesty's Balmoral Estate.

To mark the milestone, Royal Lochnagar has put the first cask distilled after the granting of the Royal Warrant on public display. The cask is emblazoned with the Scottish Royal Arms, painted by artist Thomas Oates, whose family has worked for generations the Buckingham Palace.

Ewan Andrew, director of the Lochnagar Distillery, who has been appointed as grantee for the Royal Warrant, said: "Being granted a Royal Warrant is a great privilege for everyone associated with Royal Lochnagar. The distillery has a long assocition with the royal family and it is a source of great pride that we have become Scotch whisky distillers by appointment to Her Majesty the Queen.

Founded in 1845 as New Lochnagar, the distillery was renamed Royal Lochnagar three years later after a visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, has visited the distillery on three occasions, most recently in 2018. Today, the distillery forms an important part of the Royal Deeside tourism landscape, welcoming more than 20,000 visitors a year for tours and tastings.

Sean Phillips, Royal Lochnagar distillery manager, said: "This is a very special day for all the team at Royal Lochnagar. Not only to be granted the Royal Warrant, but also to have the Scottish Royal Arms painted so beautifully on one of our casks by Thomas Oates, is an honour and privilege."

Royal Lochnagar is the fifth Royal Warrant granted by Her Majesty to a brand owned by Diageo, following appointments for John Walker & Sons (Johnnie Walker) as Scotch whisky distillers, Justerini & Brooks as wine and spirits merchants, The Pimm's Company as distillers and compounders, and gin distillers Tanqueray Gordon & Company.

4 January 2022 - Bethany Whymark