House Baratheon was paired with Royal Lochnagar for the Game of Thrones single malt collection, and of the eight distilleries chosen it is the one most people have never heard of. That is not a knock on it. Royal Lochnagar sits on Royal Deeside in the Highlands, next door to Balmoral, and is one of the smallest working distilleries in Scotland, producing a fraction of what the better known Speyside and Islay names turn out. It earned the Royal prefix in 1848, when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited the year after the distillery was founded and granted it a royal warrant, which is a genuine piece of history rather than a marketing flourish and made it a fitting match for a house whose claim to the throne is the entire point. The whisky is the standard 12 year old expression: matured in a mix of American and European oak, and unusual in being made using worm tub condensers, an old fashioned method that produces a heavier, meatier spirit than modern shell and tube condensers. What reaches the glass is a fruity, lightly grassy malt with a distinct richness underneath, showing toffee, red apple and a green woodiness on the nose, then a sweet, full palate with vanilla, dried fruit and a touch of oak spice, closing long and gently sweet. Bottled at 40 percent alcohol by volume and presented in an illustrated collector tube carrying the Baratheon stag. Part of an eight bottle collection released in 2019 alongside the show's final season and long discontinued.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
40% |
| Proof |
80 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Scotland |
| Region |
Highlands, Royal Deeside |
| Distillery |
Royal Lochnagar, established 1845 |
| Category |
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Expression |
Royal Lochnagar 12 Year Old, Game of Thrones House Baratheon |
| Age |
12 Years |
| Maturation |
American and European oak |
| Distillation |
Worm tub condensers |
| Collection |
Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Collection, one of eight |
| Packaging |
Illustrated collector tube |
| Status |
Limited edition, discontinued |
Tasting Notes
Color: Bright gold with amber highlights.
Nose: Toffee and red apple, with a green grassy woodiness and light floral notes behind.
Palate: Sweet and full. Vanilla and dried fruit carry through, with a meaty richness underneath and gentle oak spice.
Finish: Long and softly sweet, closing on toffee, oak and a lingering woodiness.
FAQ
Q: Why is it called Royal Lochnagar?
A: Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited in 1848, the year after the distillery was founded, and granted it a royal warrant. The Royal prefix has been part of the name ever since.
Q: What are worm tub condensers?
A: An older condensing method using a coiled copper pipe submerged in cold water. It reduces copper contact compared with modern condensers and produces a heavier, meatier spirit.
Q: Is this part of a collection?
A: Yes. It is one of eight single malts released in 2019, each paired with a house from the series.
Q: Is the whisky different from standard Royal Lochnagar 12?
A: The liquid is the distillery's 12 year old expression. What is exclusive to this release is the House Baratheon packaging.
Q: Is it still produced?
A: No. The collection was released alongside the show's final season and has long been discontinued.
Q: Where can I buy the House Baratheon Royal Lochnagar online?
A: Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
