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Fancy a tipple? The ten favourite whiskies of The Royal Family

The Royal Family have had plenty to celebrate this year, with the birth of a new princess and the passing of a major milestone, and what better way to celebrate than with a wee tipple?

Whether it be a royal birth, a Diamond Jubilee or a royal wedding, an array of unique limited-edition whiskies have been produced to mark momentous royal occasions. We take a look at the ten favourite whiskies dedicated to just about everything royal.

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Royal Warrant

The Prince of Wales bestowed a Royal Warrant on Laphroaig Distillery in 1994 and his penchant for a glass of whisky became apparent. In celebration of this honour, the distillery produced Laphroaig 10 Year Old Royal Warrant though according to those closest to Prince Charles, he prefers the 15 Year Old in this particular range.

Laphroaig launched the Ten Year Old Royal Warrant.

Laphroaig launched the Ten Year Old Royal Warrant.

John Walker and Sons Diamond Jubilee

When Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 60 years on the Throne in 2012, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth held immense celebrations. In commemoration of Her Majesty’s 60 years as Queen, Diageo launched John Walker and Sons Diamond Jubilee edition. The blend of rare malt and grain Scotch whiskies distilled in 1952 was bottled at Royal Lochnager Distillery, which is close to the Balmoral Estate. Only 60 editions of this blend were released for sale.

The Glenlivet 25 Year Old Royal Wedding Reserve

Launched to celebrate the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana back in 1981, the Glenlivet 25 Year Old Royal Wedding Reserve is now most famous on the second-hand market, selling for around £1200. This edition is described as having a very heavy sherry influence and is displayed in an ornate wooden presentation box.

English Whisky Co. Royal Wedding

Appealing to royal wedding fever back in 2011, the English Whisky Company launched its Royal Wedding edition to celebrate the marriage of Prince William to Catherine Middleton. Royal Wedding’s expression is a combination of rum and port and is now selling for around £75 a bottle.

The Famous Grouse

Although The Famous Grouse hasn’t released an edition dedicated to a royal occasion, it is one of a few whisky brands to have been granted a Royal Warrant, receiving it in 1984. Only last year did The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge show the Royal Family’s continued support for the brand by opening The Famous Grouse Experience based at the Glenturret Distillery.

Crown Royal Monarch 75th Anniversary Blend

Launched in June 2014 by Diageo to celebrate the 75th anniversary of their Crown Royal Canadian Whisky and the brand’s presentation to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth back in 1939 with their Monarch edition. Crown Royal was first established by a Canadian entrepreneur in 1939 who wished to present King George VI and Queen

The Famous Grouse was granted a Royal Warrant.

The Famous Grouse was granted a Royal Warrant.

Elizabeth with a special blend to commemorate their North America trip shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War.

The Macallan Coronation Collection

Another brand launched to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, Macallan’s two special editions in 2012 completed its trio of royal whiskies following its launch of Royal Wedding in 2011. These special editions are presented in gold with a Windsor Red and Blue box inspired by The Queen’s Coat of Arms and feature two bottles of The Macallan single malt.

John Walker & Sons King George V

The 80th anniversary of John Walker & Sons Royal Warrant, bestowed by King George V in 1935, was celebrated earlier this year. This brand was made using liquid sourced from distilleries in operation at the time of King George V’s reign in the 1930s and contains liquid from the now mothballed Port Ellen distillery on Islay.

Ballindalloch

The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay officially opened Scotland’s first single estate distillery, Ballindalloch, earlier this month. Liquid from Ballindalloch’s newly filled casks will be bottled as special editions and proceeds from the sales of these bottles will be donated to charities specifically chosen by Prince Charles and Camilla.

Glenfiddich Spirit of a Nation

Glenfiddich launched a single cask of a 29-year-old single malt in honour of the UK team competing in the Walking with the Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge, whose Patron is Prince Harry. Named Spirit of a Nation, the whisky was produced as part of the brand’s sponsorship of Team Glenfiddich. The team was four wounded servicemen and women who embarked on a race to the South Pole last year along Prince Harry.

So there we have ten of The Royal Family’s most favourite tipples. Though one has to assume that there are plenty more whiskies out there that are favoured by royalty and who knows what will be added in the future as there could be another dedication added to that list!

Photo Credits: Geoff McHugh, Ville Majander & Daniel S.

 

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