King Charles birthday whisky released by Balmoral Castle at £3,200 per bottle

A special edition whisky in honour of King Charles’ 75th birthday has been released by Balmoral Castle and Estate.

The rare whisky is 45-year-old single cask distilled at Royal Lochnagar, which neighbours the Royal Family’s Scottish home.

It was distilled on 7 November 1978 and tasted earlier this year by The King before 253 bottles were filled and numbered by hand.

Bottled at natural cask strength, 52.1% abv, the special edition costs £3,200 per bottle.

Three bottles will be retained by Balmoral to raise funds for charitable activity in Aberdeenshire and bottle number 75 will be placed in the Royal Lochnagar archive.

On the nose it’s a delicate interplay of fresh berries, redcurrants and citrus zest, and the palate unfolds to reveal Royal Lochnagar signature fruit notes, candied walnuts and toffee undertones, followed by ripe berries, citrus and oak spice on the lingering finish.

The bottles feature a gold engraving of the Balmoral crest with His Majesty’s Cypher at its centre.

President of global supply chain and procurement at Diageo and grantee of the Royal Warrant held by Royal Lochnagar, Ewan Andrew said: ‘The association between Balmoral and Royal Lochnagar Distillery dates back to the first Royal visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1848. 

‘Everyone at Royal Lochnagar today is proud to supply our Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky to Balmoral, and also to have welcomed His Majesty, as The Duke of Rothesay, to the distillery on several occasions.  

‘It was an honour to select one of our rarest casks for The King’s Birthday Edition and fitting that it will generate a natural legacy in the area through the tree planting it will support on the Balmoral Estate.’

A spokesperson for Balmoral said: ‘His Majesty The King’s 30th birthday in November 1978 was marked with a collection of photographic portraits taken in the grounds of Balmoral Castle.  

‘In celebration of His Majesty’s 75th birthday, we are thrilled to be releasing a whisky distilled that same month by our neighbour, Royal Lochnagar, presented in a case made with larch from the Balmoral Estate.’